Navigate your future with new online resource
https://www.alzheimersnavigator.org/?WT.mc_id=enews2012_08_15
For people with Alzheimer’s and their families, there are many questions to answer when planning for the future. Alzheimer’s Navigator™, our new, free online resource, can help guide you as you map out your plan.
Learn more about Alzheimer’s Navigator >>
Preliminary study shows chocolate’s antioxidants may boost brain function
http://consumer.healthday.com/Article.asp?AID=667630
A cocoa drink rich in the same antioxidants found in chocolate may help improve brain function in people with mild memory problems, according to a new study. The antioxidants, called flavanols, are found in tea, grapes, red wine, apples and especially in cocoa plants; their effect on brain function may be due to their ability to protect brain cells and to improve brain metabolism and blood flow, researchers said. However, the small study, conducted over eight weeks, needs replication in larger, more diverse groups over longer periods of time, and experts do not recommended increasing intake of chocolate or other foods with flavanols to decrease the risk of Alzheimer’s.
Read the article >>
http://www.apdamidwest.org/APDA_Midwest/Home.html
Our annual Walk-A-Thon to raise funds for research to “knockout” Parkinson’s disease is fast approaching.
If you haven’t already done so, we hope that you will invite your friends and family to join us for a day of fun in the park, promising something special for all ages:
Event Schedule
8:30 a.m. Check-in
Turn in pledge sheets and donations.
Make suggested minimum donation
of $25 per person and receive one t-shirt.
Sign waiver for walking.
Enjoy coffee and snacks.
9:30 a.m. Welcome
Maxine Dust, Chapter Board President: Opening Remarks
Dr. Michael Rezak: Update on PD research
10:00 a.m. Walk begins
11:00 a.m. Raffle drawing
Comments by Midwest Chapter President Maxine Dust – Why walk? Why not walk?
Ask any of the participants in our Walk-a-Thon why they turn out year after year, rain or shine, and you will learn that it is all about “friends, family, and personal connections to PD.
We walk to stand beside and support those we love and to remember those who are no longer with us. We walk for ourselves, our spouses, our children, and for our parents, our siblings, and our friends. Using walkers and canes, pushing wheelchairs and strollers, and accompanied by pets on leashes, we walk because there is strength in numbers. The sense of community we feel gives us hope, and empowers us to pursue monies for research that could bring about the cure.
APDA’s research program has been involved in every major research breakthrough for more than 45 years. We will not rest until PD is conquered. The Walk is our largest annual national fund-raiser, with all proceeds, minus expenses, going for PD research. Money, however, is becoming increasingly hard to come by. Sponsor dollars are drying up along with corporate profits. Our volunteers have stepped up efforts to obtain pledges, but not enough to offset the shortfall. We have had to go the way of almost every charity walk, suggesting a minimum donation for each walker.
We didn’t want to do this, but walks don’t come free. Expenses include: Porta-potty rental, permits, security officers, printing and mailing pledge sheets and t-shirts. If we lose money on this event, who will fund research for the cure? That is the purpose for the walk. We already “shake hands with ourselves” when we run the Symposium, but that’s an educational event we don’t want anyone to miss due to not having money. Achieving our mission is dependent on every one of us doing our part. We look forward to seeing you at the Walk on Sept. 8.
Download PLEDGE SHEET 2012.pdf and WALK BROCHURE.pdf
http://www.caremanager.org/why-care-management/selecting-a-care-manager/
How do I Find a Geriatric Care Manager?
Questions To Ask When Looking For a Professional Geriatric Care Manager
Looking for a geriatric care manager? We have made it easy to locate a geriatric care manager near you with our Find a Care Manager Search feature. The search button is located throughout the website for easy access to the search feature.
The National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers (NAPGCM) is an organization of practitioners whose goal is the advancement of expert assistance to the elderly and their families. NAPGCM is committed to maximizing the independence and autonomy of elders and strives to ensure the highest quality and most cost-effective health and human services. Through education, advocacy, counseling, and service delivery, NAPGCM members assist older persons and their families to cope with the challenges of aging.
NAPGCM promotes the highest standards of practice. Membership in NAPGCM as a Certified Geriatric Care Manager is open only to qualified individuals with specialized degrees and experience in human services, including social work, psychology, gerontology or nursing, and who hold one of four NAPGCM-approved certifications.
Professional geriatric care managers have diverse experience, education, and backgrounds. Many are licensed in their state in specific fields (such as nursing or social work).
Geriatric Care Managers do not specialize in all areas. When a Geriatric Care Manager says s/he practices “care management,” find out her/his areas of expertise. You will want to hire someone who regularly handles clients with similar needs.
Geriatric Care Managers who primarily work with older adults bring more to their practice than an expertise in geriatrics. They bring knowledge of aging issues that allows them and their staff to overcome the myths relating to aging and to focus on the problems at hand. At the same time, they will bring an experience of working with resources in your community. They are most aware of real life problems, health and otherwise, that emerge as persons age and the tools that are available to address those issues. They are also connected with a community of social workers, nurses, psychologists, elder law attorneys, advocates, and other elder care professionals who may be of assistance to you.
The National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers recognizes the following certifications (all of which require testing and continuing education):
It is important for the wise consumer to ask questions. Some of these include:
The answers to your questions will assist you in determining whether that particular Geriatric Care Manager and agency/business has the qualifications important to you for a successful relationship. If you have a specific issue that requires immediate attention, be sure to inform the Geriatric Care Manager of this during the initial conversation.
By Alison P. Monette, R.N., BSN;
Erica L. Liszak, R.N., BSN; and
Michael Rezak, M.D., Ph.D.
http://www.apdamidwest.org/APDA_Midwest/Managing_non-motor_Symptoms.html
Movement Disorders Center
Neurosciences Institute
Central DuPage Hospital, Winfield, IL
Although Parkinson’s disease (PD) is classified as a movement disorder, many people experience a variety of troublesome non-motor symptoms, previously considered non-specific or unrelated to PD. Some of these, like anosmia or loss of smell, may predate the onset of motor symptoms by many years and may now be considered a risk factor for developing PD.
Recognizing and aggressively managing both motor and non-motor PD symptoms is key to helping people with Parkinson’s (PWP) attain their optimal quality of life. Non-motor PD symptoms include:
Sleep disorders
Excessive daytime sleepiness, often a side effect of Parkinson’s medications.
REM Sleep Behavior Disorder, which disrupts the deepest, most restorative stage of sleep by causing people to “act out” their dreams in their sleep, often thrashing and striking their bed partner.
Periodic limb movements of sleep causes excessive, repetitive movements of lower extremities.
Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS), which results in abnormal sensations in the legs when lying still, but disappears with activity.
Sleep apnea, with or without snoring.
Sleep disorders are best diagnosed and treated by a neurologist or pulmonologist.
Mood problems manifested by
depression, apathy, and anxiety
Mood disorders should be discussed with your doctor and not ignored. Medication management can be very effective in treating these disorders. Identifying the underlying causes of mood changes requires careful evaluation of each patient’s medical status.
As many as 80% of PWP may experience depression during the course of their illness. Counseling, or psychotherapy, can be helpful in a “reactive” depression resulting from coping with the diagnosis of PD.
Medications can cause paranoia, hallucinations, delusions and compulsive behaviors.
Cognitive issues involving executive functions that allow us to plan ahead, organize our activities, multitask, and control goal directed activities, occur early in the course of PD. This is different from dementia, which if it occurs in PWP, usually does so in advanced stages of the disease.
Parkinson’s disease dementia
Some 10 – 40% of PWP may experience PDD. It evolves gradually and is distinguished by a specific type of memory disturbance, personality changes, slowed thinking, and impaired problem solving.
A neuropsychologist can objectively diagnose PDD and prescribe medications (cholinesterase inhibitors) that can be helpful and should be considered. Either way, patients are encouraged to stay involved in activities that “exercise” their cognitive skills (e.g. crossword puzzles, Scrabble, etc) and to participate in social events.