Time to “get real” after the shock of Alzheimer’s diagnosis

http://blog.alz.org/my-life-with-alzheimers-and-the-gift-of-my-friend-jean-2/

After learning she had Alzheimer’s at 62, it took Alzheimer’s Association Early-Stage Advisor Janice Pfeilschifter a long time to come to terms with her diagnosis. But she made the decision that while she was able, she had to “get real” about her disease and start planning for the future.
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Create a tribute to honor those caring for people with Alzheimer’s

http://www.alz.org/care/honor-caregiver.asp

November is National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month and National Family Caregivers Month. In the United States alone, there are nearly 15 million Alzheimer’s and dementia caregivers. You can honor the caregivers you know by creating a personal tribute message. Caregivers can also find resources in our Caregiver Center.
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Read a letter from a care partner >>
Visit the Caregiver Center >>

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http://www.alz.org/dm/national_family_caregiver_month/general-sidebar.htm

National Family Caregivers Month honors the unsung heroes of the Alzheimer’s disease epidemic by recognizing the selfless dedication of the 15 million unpaid caregivers: the daughters, sons, wives, husbands and grandchildren, who provide care to more than 5 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s.

While the recent development of the country’s first national plan to fight Alzheimer’s is a crucial first step toward reaching the goal of preventing and effectively treating the disease by 2025, there are new tools and resources available for the millions of families in need of care and support right now. The Alzheimer’s Association recently launched a Caregiver Center focusing on providing a wealth of resources to those affected by Alzheimer’s. These innovative programs can make life easier for people caring for a family member or friend living with the disease:

Alzheimer’s Navigator™

This online action plan helps caregivers and people with dementia identify their next steps, provides tips and strategies and connects to local programs and services. Answer short surveys to help develop your own personalized action plan.

ALZConnected™

You are not alone. Get connected and share concerns and advice with people who understand your unique challenges. ALZConnected is a new online social networking community designed for caregivers and people living with Alzheimer’s.

24/7 Helpline

The 24/7 Helpline is staffed by specialists and master’s- level clinicians who provide decision-making support, problem solving, and education. Call toll-free any time, day or night at 800.272.3900.

Financial and Legal Planning Tools

Putting financial and legal plans in place allows the person with dementia to express his or her wishes for the future. It also allows time to work through the complex issues involved in long-term care.

Dementia and Driving Resource Center

Driving can be one of the toughest issues faced by caregivers. It’s important to be prepared before the situation arises and we can help.

Learning Workshops

Caregiving doesn’t come with an instruction manual, but we have free e-learning programs and more to help you gain caregiving skills and get practical advice.

http://www.alz.org/dm/national_family_caregiver_month/general-sidebar.htm

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Singer-songwriter hits a touching note with song about Alzheimer’s

http://www.alzheimers-illinois.org/enewsletter/november2012/singer.asp

Some ideas come to Derek Luttrell slowly, over the course of a month or two. Other ideas leap from the singer-songwriter’s mind to a fully formed piece in seemingly no time at all.
Luttrell’s song “Some Place in the Back of Your Mind” was of the lightning fast variety. The 23-year-old Rockford resident recalls writing the song perched on the edge of his bathtub – where the acoustics in his home are the best.
“My wife [Jenn] worked at a nursing home where this older man would come in and visit his wife with Alzheimer’s,” said Luttrell of the song’s inspiration. “He’d visit every day and talk to her, even though she didn’t know what was going on. He never lost hope.”
That undying devotion influenced lyrics like
‘I’d like to think that our love
Is the kind that won’t get left behind
If not, then I pray that you’ll find me some day
Some place in the back of your mind’
Luttrell, who began playing guitar at 12 and has been writing what he describes as folk or alternative country music for the last six years, recently performed the song at the Rockford Walk to End Alzheimer’s in September.
“It’s amazing how the cause brings a lot of people together,” Luttrell said. “I was super happy to be a part of that.”
For now, Luttrell is busy playing gigs in Rockford and surrounding areas. A native of Minnesota, Luttrell had to leave a band behind when he moved to Illinois, and is very much interested in playing in an ensemble again. But in the meantime, the musician is concentrating on a forthcoming album and an ever-growing repertoire of songs.
Click here and learn more about Luttrell’s music.

Read more >>    http://www.alzheimers-illinois.org/enewsletter/november2012/singer.asp

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