Show your love this Valentine’s Day
For many people, Valentine’s Day is a happy occasion to reflect on love and family. When you have a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease, this can be difficult. Learn how you can make your loved ones feel loved this Valentine’s Day.
Support Groups – Get the emotional support you need – Alzheimer’s – Optimum Senior Care – Chicago In Home Care – www.OptimumSeniorCare.com
The Alzheimer’s Association offers social in-person or virtual gathering, which provides care, support and educational information for people with dementia, their family, friends and caregivers. Groups are facilitated by individuals who have received training from Association staff. We have many support groups throughout Illinois, at various times and locations. Find one near you today.
A support group is a regularly scheduled in-person or virtual gathering of people with Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia, family, friends or caregivers who interact around issues relating to dementia. Groups can have social, educational and/or support components and are facilitated by individuals who have received training from the Alzheimer’s Association.
We have many support groups throughout Illinois, at various times and locations. Check to see if there is a group close to you that fits your needs. If you prefer, call our 24-hour Helpline at 800.272.3900..
Caregiver Support Grou
–Select a City– Arlington Heights Barrington Batavia Belvidere Bloomington Carbondale Carol Stream Carthage Champaign Chicago Chillicothe Chrisman Clinton Country Club Hills Crystal Lake Deerfield Dekalb Des Plaines Downers Grove Effingham Elmhurst Evanston Galesburg Gibson City Girard Glenview Gurnee Hazel Crest Henry Joliet Kankakee La Grange Lake Zurich Lewistown Lincoln Marengo Marion Matteson Metamora Morrison Morton Mundelein Naperville New Lenox Normal Norridge Oak Park Orland Park Ottawa Palos Park Pana Park Ridge Peoria Petersburg Quincy Red Bud Riverside Rockford Sandwich Springfield St. Charles Sterling Toulon Urbana West Dundee Westmont Wheaton Willmette
–Select a County– Adams Boone Champaign Christian Cook DeKalb DeWitt DuPage Edgar Effingham Ford Fulton Hancock Jackson Kane Kankakee Knox La Salle Lake Logan Macoupin Marshall McHenry McLean Menard Peoria Randolph Sangamon Stark Tazewell Whiteside Will Williamson Winnebago Woodford
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Early Stage Support Groups
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See a doctor if you’re concerned about memory changes – Alzheimer’s – Optimum Senior Care – Chicago In Home Care – www.OptimumSeniorCare.com
Memory loss that disrupts daily life may be a symptom of Alzheimer’s or another dementia. Every individual may experience one or more of the 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s in different degrees. If you notice any of them, please see a doctor.
10 Early Signs and Symptoms of Alzheimer’s
Memory loss that disrupts daily life may be a symptom of Alzheimer’s or another dementia. Alzheimer’s is a brain disease that causes a slow decline in memory, thinking and reasoning skills. There are 10 warning signs and symptoms. Every individual may experience one or more of these signs in different degrees. If you notice any of them, please see a doctor.
10 Early Signs and Symptoms of Alzheimer’sTypical age-related memory loss and other changes compared to Alzheimer’sWhat to do if you notice these signsFor your doctor’s visit, 10 Warning Signs Checklist
Memory loss that disrupts daily life
One of the most common signs of Alzheimer’s is memory loss, especially forgetting recently learned information. Others include forgetting important dates or events; asking for the same information over and over; increasingly needing to rely on memory aids (e.g., reminder notes or electronic devices) or family members for things they used to handle on their own.
What’s a typical age-related change?
Sometimes forgetting names or appointments, but remembering them later.
Challenges in planning or solving problems
Some people may experience changes in their ability to develop and follow a plan or work with numbers. They may have trouble following a familiar recipe or keeping track of monthly bills. They may have difficulty concentrating and take much longer to do things than they did before.
What’s a typical age-related change?
Making occasional errors when balancing a checkbook.
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Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work or at leisure
People with Alzheimer’s often find it hard to complete daily tasks. Sometimes, people may have trouble driving to a familiar location, managing a budget at work or remembering the rules of a favorite game.
What’s a typical age-related change?
Occasionally needing help to use the settings on a microwave or to record a television show.
Confusion with time or place
People with Alzheimer’s can lose track of dates, seasons and the passage of time. They may have trouble understanding something if it is not happening immediately. Sometimes they may forget where they are or how they got there.
What’s a typical age-related change?
Getting confused about the day of the week but figuring it out later.
Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships\
For some people, having vision problems is a sign of Alzheimer’s. They may have difficulty reading, judging distance and determining color or contrast, which may cause problems with driving.
What’s a typical age-related change?
Vision changes related to cataracts.
New problems with words in speaking or writing
People with Alzheimer’s may have trouble following or joining a conversation. They may stop in the middle of a conversation and have no idea how to continue or they may repeat themselves. They may struggle with vocabulary, have problems finding the right word or call things by the wrong name (e.g., calling a “watch” a “hand-clock”).
What’s a typical age-related change?
Sometimes having trouble finding the right word.
Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps
A person with Alzheimer’s disease may put things in unusual places. They may lose things and be unable to go back over their steps to find them again. Sometimes, they may accuse others of stealing. This may occur more frequently over time.
What’s a typical age-related change?
Misplacing things from time to time and retracing steps to find them.
Decreased or poor judgment
People with Alzheimer’s may experience changes in judgment or decision-making. For example, they may use poor judgment when dealing with money, giving large amounts to telemarketers. They may pay less attention to grooming or keeping themselves clean.
What’s a typical age-related change?
Making a bad decision once in a while.
Withdrawal from work or social activities
A person with Alzheimer’s may start to remove themselves from hobbies, social activities, work projects or sports. They may have trouble keeping up with a favorite sports team or remembering how to complete a favorite hobby. They may also avoid being social because of the changes they have experienced.
What’s a typical age-related change?
Sometimes feeling weary of work, family and social obligations.
Changes in mood and personality
The mood and personalities of people with Alzheimer’s can change. They can become confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful or anxious. They may be easily upset at home, at work, with friends or in places where they are out of their comfort zone.
What’s a typical age-related change?
Developing very specific ways of doing things and becoming irritable when a routine is disrupted.
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Poor judgment and decision making
Making a bad decision once in a while
Inability to manage a budget
Missing a monthly payment
Losing track of the date or the season
Forgetting which day it is and remembering later
Difficulty having a conversation
Sometimes forgetting which word to use
Misplacing things and being unable to retrace steps to find them
Losing things from time to time
If you have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, you are not alone.
If you notice any of the 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s in yourself or someone you know, don’t ignore them. Schedule an appointment with your doctor.
Get the maximum benefit from available treatments – You can explore treatments that may provide some relief of symptoms and help you maintain a level of independence longer. You may also increase your chances of participating in clinical drug trials that help advance research.
Learn more about treatments.
Learn more about clinical studies.
Have more time to plan for the future – A diagnosis of Alzheimer’s allows you to take part in decisions about care, transportation, living options, financial and legal matters. You can also participate in building the right care team and social support network.
Learn more about planning ahead.
Learn how to get a personalized action plan by using Alzheimer’s Navigator.
Help for you and your loved ones – Care and support services are available, making it easier for you and your family to live the best life possible with Alzheimer’s or dementia.
Learn how the Alzheimer’s Association helps families.
Additional information:
Researchers seek paths to earlier diagnosis
Information on the scientific studies researchers are pursuing to earlier diagnosis
“It took my mother having a stress-related heart attack before we quit dismissing my father’s progressing dementia to ‘senior moments’ and got him a proper diagnosis of Alzheimer’s. Had we paid attention to the warning signs of this disease, a lot of prevention could have been in place.”
-Brent
Your doctor will evaluate your overall health and identify any conditions that could affect how well your mind is working. Your doctor may refer you to a specialist such as a:
Learn more about diagnosing Alzheimer’s.
Learn more about different types of dementia.
Download our free 10 Warning Signs Checklist and list any concerns you have. Take this sheet with you to the doctor.
10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s
Know the 10 signs is also available in these languages:
Spanish
Chinese
Korean
Vietnamese
http://www.optimumseniorcare.com/services/alzheimerscare.php
Register for Illinois Advocacy Day – Alzheimer’s – Optimum Senior Care – Chicago In Home Care – www.OptimumSeniorCare.com
Registration is now open for the 2018 Illinois Advocacy Day in Springfield. Join us on Wednesday, April 11 to help advance legislative priorities such as expanding respite care, protecting Medicaid, and ensuring sufficient home and community-based programs. Come help us make this the largest Advocacy Day yet. Sign up today!\
Join us for the 2018 Illinois Advocacy Day in Springfield! As an Alzheimer’s advocate you will have the opportunity to speak with legislators and draw critical attention to the advancement of Alzheimer’s public policies. Be a catalyst for change in Illinois and ensure that the needs of Alzheimer’s patients, family members, and caregivers are addressed.
Share:
At the beginning of the day, you will receive a training on the Association’s policy priorities for 2018, as well as messages to carry to legislators throughout the afternoon. The Alzheimer’s Association will also provide appropriate strategies for a successful visit.
This event provides an opportunity for you to engage with your legislators. Advocates will visit several members of both the Illinois Senate and House of Representatives, sharing personal stories and asking lawmakers for their support of critical legislation designed to make Illinois a dementia capable state.
In just 1 day, advocates have a chance to change the lives of nearly one million Illinois residents impacted by Alzheimer’s disease. Alongside key policy-makers who share a common vision for this cause, each individual has the capacity to make an incredible impact on how lawmakers address Alzheimer’s disease and respond to this ever-growing epidemic.
Transportation to the Capitol will be arranged from a variety of locations, with both lunch and snacks provided.
To register for the 2018 Illinois Advocacy Day on Wednesday, April 11, please click the registration button above. Following registration, you will receive an email confirmation and additional information as the day approaches.
For questions, more information or to register by phone, please contact Andrew Kretschmar at (847) 779-6947 or akretschmar@alz.org.
http://www.optimumseniorcare.com/services/alzheimerscare.php
Alzheimer’s disease featured on West Wing Weekly podcast – Optimum Senior Care – Chicago In Home Care – www.OptimumSeniorCare.com
Alzheimer’s Association Chief Public Policy Officer Robert Egge recently was a guest on the West Wing Weekly podcast, which explores each episode of the NBC series and how politics and issues have evolved since the show first aired. During discussion of an episode in which Press Secretary C.J. Cregg visits her father living with Alzheimer’s, Egge highlighted research advancements and progress toward making the disease a national priority.
http://www.optimumseniorcare.com/services/alzheimerscare.php