top of page

Care Partners Corner


An ongoing series of Inspirational and informational  entries​



Experts suggest that 5.1 million Americans age 65 years and older may suffer from Alzheimer's disease.  Its prevalence could tripled by 2050 if interventions are not found.


ALZHEIMER'S NEVADA



Dementia disrupts the ability to process thought, remember clearly and logically reason.


ALZHEIMER'S NEVADA



Wandering is not a choice.


ALZHEIMER'S NEVADA



Early​ diagnosis is key, be aware of the signs and symptoms of A​lzheimer's.


ALZHEIMER'S NEVADA



Eat Healthy My Friend.

One orange provides 130 percent of your vitamin C needs for the day.


ALZHEIMER'S NEVADA



More than 43,000 Nevadans have Alzheimer's disease.


ALZHEIMER'S NEVADA



Heart health benefits both body and brain health.


ALZHEIMER'S NEVADA



Alzheimer's disease is the 6th leading cause of death in the United States.

Studies indicate that the disorder may rank third, behind heart disease and cancer, as a cause of death for older people.


ALZHEIMER'S NEVADA



Happy Easter!


ALZHEIMER'S NEVADA



Please Join us for our Crusin for the Cause Poker Run.


ALZHEIMER'S NEVADA



Please Join us for our Spring Conference in Laughlin.


ALZHEIMER'S NEVADA



Please Join us for our Spring Conference in Laughlin.


ALZHEIMER'S NEVADA



Happy Valentines Day!!


ALZHEIMER'S NEVADA



Many people with Alzheimer's disease wander away from home.  Learning how to limit the risk of wandering will give you peace of mind.


ALZHEIMER'S NEVADA



Mild Alzheimer’s Disease

Signs and Symptoms


difficulties with:

cognition/thought process

wandering

money management

repeating oneself

completion of normal daily tasks

personality and behavior


ALZHEIMER'S NEVADA



HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!  FROM US TO YOU.


ALZHEIMER'S NEVADA



This holiday season remember; people with dementia can easily be over stimulated.  Create a backup plan.​


ALZHEIMER'S NEVADA



There is P​ower in Touch.


ALZHEIMER'S NEVADA



Music evokes emotions that bring memories


ALZHEIMER'S NEVADA



According to the Nevada State Plan to Address Alzheimer's disease 

More than 41, 000 Nevadans have developed Alzheimer's disease

Unfortunately this number rises by the minute

Get Support


ALZHEIMER'S NEVADA



Alzheimer's can be isolating & can lead to depression.

Get Support.


ALZHEIMER'S NEVADA



Alzheimer's disease is abnormal.


ALZHEIMER'S NEVADA



Eat Healthy My Friend

Decrease saturated fats and trans fats


ALZHEIMER'S NEVADA



Cherish the Moments

Cherish the Memories


ALZHEIMER'S NEVADA



Frototemporal Dementia

Symptoms vary depending on the areas of the frontal and temporal lobes are damaged.


Areas of noticeable Change

Behavioral

Language

Semantic Dementia


Symptoms can be very subtle at first but they slowly get worse as the disease progresses.


ALZHEIMER'S NEVADA



Symptoms of Alzheimer's

When you misplace things or put things away in strange places.

Example: Ice Cream in the Cupboard.


ALZHEIMER'S NEVADA



Symptoms of Alzheimer's

When you begin to have problems with language and communication.


ALZHEIMER'S NEVADA



Question: is losing your memory a normal part of getting older?

Answer: No


ALZHEIMER'S NEVADA



Symptoms of Alzheimer's

When memory loss significantly impacts daily life.


ALZHEIMER'S NEVADA



Symptoms of Alzheimer's

When you forget how to do things you have always done

ex: meal prep, dressing, driving, reading


ALZHEIMER'S NEVADA



Is your loved one a Veteran?  If so take this into consideration as the condition progresses.  You might notice long term memories of the military resurfacing.  This is normal, in fact it is a common occurrence.  The key is to roll with it instead of resisting or correcting the behavior when it is safe to do so.


ALZHEIMER'S NEVADA



Early Stage or Mild Alzheimer's disease

In the beginning stages of the condition people experience symptoms which are typically abnormal to them.  Often times this begins with abnormal memory loss.

For Example:

  • We all get lost from time to time especially if our environment is not familiar to us.  However, a person with this particular condition may live in the same place several years and now is having a hard time finding their way home
Or
  • An individual who is typically good with money and numbers perhaps an accountant or banker who is now suddenly experiencing problems balancing their own check book or paying their bills on time

ALZHEIMER'S NEVADA



Changes in Personality and Behavior

Because AD causes brain cells to die, the brain works less well over time. This changes how a person acts. You will notice that he or she will have good days and bad days.

Here are some common personality changes you may see:

  • Getting upset, worried, and angry more easily
  • Acting depressed or not interested in things
  • Hiding things or believing other people are hiding things
  • Imagining things that aren't there
  • Wandering away from home
  • Pacing a lot of the time
  • Showing unusual sexual behavior
  • Hitting you or other people
  • Misunderstanding what he or she sees or hears

National Institute on Aging



When writing the story of your life, don't let someone else hold the pen.


Zig Ziglar



Is life not interesting?  Sometimes adversity comes from the most unexpected places.  Breathe, it gets better.


ADC



The closest thing to being cared for is to care for someone else.


Carson McCullers



Happy New Year Friend.  

With a new year brings new hope. 

Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.


Desmond Tutu



The Holiday Season is filled with stimuli.  This season avoid over-stimulation and over-tiring as much as possible.  Plan, plan and then plan some more.  You will be happy you did.


 ALZHEIMER'S NEVADA



The holiday season

The holidays are just around the corner.  Thanksgiving is less than 2 weeks away.  This means Families will gather for Joy, laughter and happy memories.  For families effected by the condition though this season is bittersweet and instead of Joy and Laughter the opposite may occur do to agitation and confusion.

Planning and communication is imperative to a successful holiday season.  


Plan, plan and then plan some more.

 

ALZHEIMER'S NEVADA



Time of Day & Sun-downing

It is the time of the year where we all fall back in time.  did you know that this could effect our loved one who is effected by Alzheimer's?

For people who suffer from Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia, the time of day can bring forth increased memory loss, confusion, agitation, anger and even Fear.  


Sundown Triggers

  • As the day draws to an end, there may be increased End of day Activity
  • The days activities may have increased fatigue & End-of-day exhaustion or the opposite; a shift to lack of activity 
  • During the evening, our lighting differs from day hours, thus depth perception, shadows,  lack of visibility and even FEAR become issues
  • Day Light Savings Time and the winter create shorter days, which may exacerbate sun-downing


ALZHEIMER'S NEVADA



Avoid discontentment 

With this particular condition it is easy to fall into the trap of discontentment.  More times than not we begin giving up those things that bring us pleasure because the condition can be at times very demanding.


It is important that both the care partners and the person with the condition remain engaged in activities which bring them  joy.


Doing things we enjoy gives us pleasure and adds meaning to our lives.


ALZHEIMER'S NEVADA



Sun-downing

A person with dementia who becomes increasingly irritable or difficult as the day progresses.

Sun-downing, or sundown syndrome begins with noticeable changes in how a person with dementia behaves in the late afternoon or early evening. This change is seemingly triggered by Fading light.

Symptoms can worsen as the night progresses and typically gets better by morning. Sun-downers can be managed, the first step is knowing it exists and that it is a common part of the process.

Should your loved one begin exhibiting these symptoms talk to you doctor about management.


ALZHEIMER'S NEVADA



Laugh

When you wake up at 6 in the morning, you close your eyes for 5 minutes and it's already 6:45. When you're at work and it's 2:30, you close your eyes for 5 minutes and it's 2:31. 


Anonymous




Change

I can't change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.


Jimmy Dean




5 tips to beat depression

Daily rituals or routines

Create goals and baby steps in between