Comedy legend Wilder dies from Alzheimer’s disease

Comedy legend Wilder dies from Alzheimer’s disease

Gene Wilder, star of iconic films such as “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” and “Young Frankenstein,” has died at the age of 83 due to complications from Alzheimer’s disease. His family said Wilder had been ill for an undisclosed period of time but opted to keep his condition private.

http://www.optimumseniorcare.com/services/alzheimerscare.php

http://optimumseniorcare.com/blog/

https://www.facebook.com/OptimumseniorcareIL

Illinois Representative on National Advisory Council

Illinois Representative on National Advisory Council

More than 5 million Americans are currently living with Alzheimer’s and those in the early stages play an active role in the fight against the disease. The Alzheimer’s Association is pleased to welcome 10 new members, including Illinois resident Tom Oestreicher to this year’s National Early-Stage Advisory Group.

More than 5 million Americans are currently living with Alzheimer’s and those in the early stages play an active role in the fight against the disease. The Alzheimer’s Association is pleased to welcome 10 new members, including Illinois resident Tom Oestreicher to this year’s National Early-Stage Advisory Group.

Tom has represented the GIC extensively, including at events like Reason to Hope and the Illinois Action Summit in Springfield. Tom was chosen from 56 applicants across the country to be a part of the group, whose primary goal is to raise awareness and help reduce the stigma associated with Alzheimer’s by sharing their personal stories and experiences. They also advocate for increased research funding and provide input to the Association about programs and materials designed to meet the growing needs of early-stage individuals. Congratulations Tom!

http://www.optimumseniorcare.com/services/alzheimerscare.php

http://optimumseniorcare.com/blog/

https://www.facebook.com/OptimumseniorcareIL

Plan plenty of time when dressing or grooming someone with Alzheimer’s or another dementia

Plan plenty of time when dressing or grooming someone with Alzheimer’s or another dementia

Helping a person with dementia maintain his or her appearance can promote positive self-esteem. While these tasks may become frustrating for a person with Alzheimer’s in the later stages of the disease, planning can help simplify the process.

Helping a person with dementia maintain his or her appearance can promote positive self-esteem.While these tasks may become frustrating for a person with Alzheimer’s in the later stages of the disease, the tips below can help simplify the process.Sign up for our e-newsletter to receive more tips on a variety of caregiving topics.

Dressing

Plan plenty of time when dressing or grooming someone with Alzheimer’s. Rushing the person can cause anxiety and frustration.

As the disease progresses beyond the early stages, choosing and putting on clothes can be frustrating for the person with dementia. The person may not remember how to dress or may be overwhelmed with the choices or the task itself.

To assist:

  • Simplify choices.
    Keep the closets free of excess clothing. A person may panic if clothing choices become overwhelming. If appropriate, give the person an opportunity to select favorite outfits or colors, but try offering just two choices.
  • Organize the process.
    Lay out clothing in the order that each item should be put on. Hand the person one item at a time while giving simple, direct instructions such as “Put on your shirt,” rather than “Get dressed.”
  • Pick comfortable and simple clothing.
    Cardigans, shirts and blouses that button in front are easier to work than pullover tops. Substitute Velcro® for buttons, snaps or zippers, which may be too difficult to handle. Make sure that clothing is loose fitting, especially at the waist and hips, and choose fabrics that are soft and stretchable.
  • Choose comfortable shoes.
    Make sure the person has comfortable, non-slip shoes.
  • Be flexible.
    If the individual wants to wear the same outfit repeatedly, buy duplicates or have similar options available. Keep in mind that it is important for the individual to maintain good personal hygiene, including wearing clean undergarments, as poor hygiene may lead to urinary tract or other infections that further complicate care.
    It’s all right if the person wants to wear several layers of clothing, just make sure he or she doesn’t get overheated. When outdoors, make sure the person is dressed for the weather. Offer praise, not criticism, if clothing is mismatched.

Sign up for our weekly e-newsletter

Receive tips on managing the personal care needs of the person with Alzheimer’s. Also learn how to get support and care for yourself.Subscribe now.

Grooming

A person with dementia may forget how to comb hair, clip fingernails or shave. He or she may forget what the purpose is for items like nail clippers or a comb.

To assist:

  • Maintain grooming routines.
    If the person has always gone to the beauty shop or a barber, continue this activity. If the experience becomes distressing, it may be possible to have the barber or hairstylist come to the person’s home.
  • Use favorite toiletries.
    Allow the person to continue using his or her favorite toothpaste, shaving cream, cologne or makeup.
  • Perform tasks alongside the person.
    Comb your hair, and encourage the person to copy your motions.
  • Use safer, simpler grooming tools.
    Cardboard nail files and electric shavers can be less threatening than clippers and razors.

http://www.optimumseniorcare.com/services/alzheimerscare.php

http://optimumseniorcare.com/blog/

https://www.facebook.com/OptimumseniorcareIL

2016 Annual Research Symposium – Early bird prices ending August 31

2016 Annual Research Symposium – Early bird prices ending August 31

Join us on ?Tuesday, ?October 11 at the Chicago Botanic Garden? for our Annual Research Symposium. You will ??gain knowledge and insights on Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related research topics? plus? ?increase your ?awareness and enhance your skill sets?. A special focus ?will be given ?on translating research into care. Register now to take advantage of early bird prices.

Join us at Chicago Botanic Garden!

Gain knowledge and insights on Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related research topics designed to increase awareness and enhance skill sets, with a special focus on translating research into care.

Where is it?
This year’s Symposium is being held at the Chicago Botanic Garden, located in the heart of the North Shore and convenient to downtown Chicago. The Garden provides attendees a serene setting with peaceful lakes and native woodlands.

Who should attend?
Split into tracks, the symposium is designed for:

  • Attendee with early dementia or MCI
  • Family, friend, or care partner of person with dementia
  • Professional I (caregiver, direct care staff, administrator, non CEU/CME/CCMC)
  • Professional II (health and allied health professional with CEU/CME, or case manager (CCMC))

Continuing Medical Education (CME) and Continuing Education Units (CEU) will be provided for healthcare professionals.

Receive early bird prices by registering online or over the phone 847-933-2413 today!
Featured Family Session Speaker
Beverly Sanborn, MS, LCSW

Gerontologist
Vice President, Program Development Belmont Village Senior Living

Featured Keynote Speakers

 

Alireza Atri, M.D., Ph.D.

Ray Dolby Endowed Chair in Brain Health Research
California Pacific Medical Center

 

Dean Hartley, Ph.D.

Director of Science Initiatives
Medical and Scientific Relations
Alzheimer’s Association

New – Free Expo!
Attendees

New this year – visit the free public expo featuring vendors and consultants who provide dementia-related services and education.

Sponsors/Exhibitors

Directly engage with symposium attendees, healthcare providers, physicians, families and care partners to showcase your research, business, products or services. New this year – we are opening the Expo to the general public at no cost. View and sign up for available sponsorships and exhibiting opportunities.

http://www.optimumseniorcare.com/services/alzheimerscare.php

http://optimumseniorcare.com/blog/

https://www.facebook.com/OptimumseniorcareIL

Man walks to honor mother and others impacted by Alzheimer’s

Man walks to honor mother and others impacted by Alzheimer’s

When Chris Reynolds posted a video on Facebook last year of his mother, who’s living with younger-onset Alzheimer’s, barely being able to move without his support during the mother-son dance at his wedding, people watching it understood how devastating Alzheimer’s can be. He participates in the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s® in honor of her and the millions of people affected by the disease.

My mom has been living with younger-onset Alzheimer’s for over nine years, diagnosed when she was just 53. This is why I Walk to End Alzheimer’s. This year will be my fourth Walk in honor of her and the millions of people diagnosed with this disease.

Some people mistakenly think that Alzheimer’s is a “cute” disease that happens to old people when they lose their memory.

When I posted a video on Facebook last year of my mom barely being able to move without my support during the mother-son dance at my wedding, people got a better understand how devastating Alzheimer’s can be. It isn’t cute at all. And when you see firsthand what this disease does to someone you love, it makes you want to do whatever you can to fight the disease and help wherever and whenever possible.

I’m also constantly inspired by my father, who has never wavered.

Dad is there taking care of my mom 24 hours a day, seven days a week. He does anything and everything you can imagine and more for her, always with a smile on his face. This is one of the many reasons I’ve found my Walk experience to be so rewarding. I do it for my mother, who has the disease, and my father, her devoted husband and caregiver.

Knowing that Alzheimer’s is the only cause of death in the top 10 in the U.S. that cannot be slowed, prevented or cured, the importance of Walking and raising as much money as possible is beyond critical.

My sister and her fiancé had been involved with the Walk in D.C. and it was their example that inspired me to reply to the email asking me to help out with the San Francisco walk two years ago. I started out as the chair of the sponsorship sub-committee, and this year I was lucky enough to be asked to co-chair the San Francisco Walk. I jumped at the opportunity!

I was able to raise just over $2,500 last year, and my goal this year is to top $3,000.

The most important thing anyone can do to raise funds is just ask. You never know which of your friends, family or coworkers might have a connection to the disease – or who just want to support you because they care about you! My wife Whitney and I discovered this quickly when we began our fundraising efforts, and it left us feeling so inspired.

I Walk for my mom and my dad. I also Walk for me.

I Walk to raise Alzheimer’s awareness as much as I Walk to raise money to put an end to husbands, wives, sons and daughters having to spend their lives caring for the people they love instead of enjoying the everyday moments that make life with those family members so special. I Walk so that I can live in a future without Alzheimer’s.

About the Author: Chris Reynolds is the co-chair for the San Francisco Walk to End Alzheimer’s. You can visit his team page here.

Learn More:

http://www.optimumseniorcare.com/services/alzheimerscare.php

http://optimumseniorcare.com/blog/

https://www.facebook.com/OptimumseniorcareIL