One Illinois team goes above and beyond in fight to end Alzheimer’s

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

September 11, 2001 was a devastating day for countless Americans. But while so many experienced the turmoil and tragedy of the terrorist attack, Adele Knickels was experiencing a far quieter but no less heartbreaking ordeal. September 11 was the day Knickel’s 87-year-old mother, Rose Freda, passed away after 12 years of living with Alzheimer’s disease.
It was a disease that took a toll on Knickels, her two sisters Donna Freeman and Bea LoBianco, and many other members of their family.
“It really is a devastating disease,” said the Barrington resident, who starting noticing changes in Freda after her father passed away. “Every Saturday, without fail, she went to the beauty shop, and she wasn’t doing that anymore.”
Freda’s memory declined gradually and inexplicable patterns of behavior emerged. For the last seven years of her life, Freda kept her eyes closed.
“The doctors said it must have been some kind of manifestation of the Alzheimer’s,” Knickels said. “They didn’t know why she did it.”
After their mother died, the sisters discovered the McHenry Walk to End Alzheimer’s and decided to get involved. Their first year was 2002. It’s now 10 years later and their team, Roses’ Girls, have raised more than $100,000 to benefit the Alzheimer’s Association and its mission to create a world without Alzheimer’s.
The staggering amount of money has been raised almost entirely via contributions from friends and family. Several weeks before the walk, each sister writes heartfelt emails and letters, asking for support.
“People have been very generous,” Knickels said. “We get replies back, saying ‘Someone in our family has Alzheimer’s.’ It has touched so many lives. And now with Boomers getting into the upper 60s – they’re feeling very close to it.”
An avid baker, Knickels also has raised money by making sweets at friends’ requests during the holiday season. What money she receives for her baked goods goes toward Alzheimer’s. Her treats also made an appearance at the McHenry Walk to End Alzheimer’s Sept. 30, helping the team to make an additional $100.
“We get the word out and fundraise so hopefully there can be a cure,” she said.

Click here to learn more about donating to the Alzheimer’s Association. Donations for all Walks to End Alzheimer’s can be made until the end of 2012.

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

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Meet our newest board members

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

We’ve recently welcomed two new members to the Board of Directors of the Alzheimer’s Association,® Greater Illinois Chapter. Shelia McClendon is a director at KPMG, an audit, tax and advisory services firm. Mary Wasik is an attorney and partner with law firm Levenfeld Pearlstein, LLC.
Here, in their own words, McClendon and Wasik share why they got involved with the Alzheimer’s Association and its vision for a world without Alzheimer’s.
“My father looked up at me from his hospital bed and told me he was sorry and he wanted to apologize. I asked him for what. His response was “I must have done something wrong for this to happen to me.” I assured him that he was the best daddy and cheerleader a girl could ask for and that he had done nothing to deserve this.
I can understand how he would come to this conclusion, especially as I watch this disease take so much away from him at a time when he should be enjoying the fruits of his labor. I decided to join the Alzheimer’s Association because no one who has sacrificed and given so much to provide for his family should feel like this. The most important thing the Alzheimer’s Association provides is hope for the future. I want to be a part of that hope for people like my father.”
– Shelia McClendon
“I decided to become more involved with the Greater Illinois Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association after my mother, Florence Prus, died in August of 2012. She was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s several years before, but other health-related issues caused her to rapidly progress from a mild case of the disease to the late stages over an 18-month period. My brother and I quickly learned how horribly debilitating Alzheimer’s can be. My mother loved to solve a good crossword puzzle, and as her ability to communicate began to diminish, she would try to spell out words to us that made no sense.
What also didn’t make sense was the realization that nothing was likely to slow the progression of her symptoms or provide any cure. So much more research needs to be done to give the millions of people who have been diagnosed with the disease, as well as their families and caregivers, the tools necessary to prevent, cure and eliminate Alzheimer’s disease. I am honored to be able to support the work of the Greater Illinois Chapter through my involvement with the Board of Directors.”

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

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Alzheimer’s in the Latino Community

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

The Alzheimer’s Association®, Greater Illinois Chapter is seeking to reach the Latino community of Chicagoland with Spanish-speaking education programs.

The program Alzheimer’s Disease in the Latino Community will take place from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, November 13 at the Cicero Public Library, 5225 W. Cermak Road, Cicero. The program will include a short film as well as an overview of Alzheimer’s disease and its impact on Latinos.
The Alzheimer’s Association Special Report on Race, Ethnicity and Alzheimer’s, which was released in conjunction with the organization’s 2010 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures, cited research indicating that in the United States, older Latinos are probably about one and a half times times more likely than older non-Latino whites to have Alzheimer’s and other dementias. The report goes on to state that no known genetic factors can account for the differences in the prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias among different racial groups, but that conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes, both of which are known risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, are more common in older Latinos than older non-Latino whites and likely account for some of the disparity.
“As the number of Latinos living with Alzheimer’s disease continues to grow, it is imperative that we increase awareness about memory loss and dementia among our Spanish-speaking community,” said Yadira Montoya, Manager of Education and Outreach with the Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Illinois Chapter. “The Alzheimer’s Disease in the Latino Community education program is designed to help Latinos understand more about this disease and the resources available to help and support those affected.”
To register for the program, call 708.652.8084. Click here for more information.
To learn more about the other Spanish language offerings from the Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Illinois Chapter, email Yadira Montoya at ymontoya@alz.org.

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

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Don’t miss Rock ‘n’ Roll AD

http://boxoffice.printtixusa.com/stage773/eventcalendar

The theatrical group Time of Your Life Players presents the original one-act musical Rock ‘n’ Roll AD. The piece chronicles a man who is set to get his band back together for one last tour but is then diagnosed with young-onset Alzheimer’s. The tenacious spirit, humor and attitude of the central character, Roy, allow him to continue with the tour and learn how to cope with dementia.
Rock ‘n’ Roll AD is playing at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago at 2 p.m. on several dates through Saturday, November 10. Tickets are $16.
For ticket information, call the theater’s box office at 773.327.5252. Tickets are also available online.

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

Signs of Alzheimer’s at the holidays

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

In addition to a new dessert recipe or family vacation photos, bring an important gift home this holiday season and become educated about the warning signs of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Visiting with relatives over the holidays may raise questions about the physical and cognitive health of family members. Although some change in cognitive ability can occur with age, serious memory problems are not a part of normal aging. Recognizing the difference between normal aging and more serious problems can help you identify when it may be time for your relative to see a doctor.
“It can be tempting to discount your suspicions about a family member’s memory if others have not raised these concerns, particularly during the holidays when families hope to gather for joyous festivities,” said Danielle Dodson, Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Illinois Chapter Clinical Supervisor with Care Navigation, a service that provides a series of counseling appointments with a licensed social worker trained in memory loss issues. “While these can be challenging and emotional conversations to have at any time – and even more so during the busy holiday season – early detection and diagnosis are critical to finding appropriate treatments and planning ahead for future care needs. Before approaching a family member with your concerns, consider how, when and where might be most comfortable for the individual to have this conversation as well as from whom the individual might be most receptive to hearing concerns.”
The Alzheimer’s Association® has seen a rise in calls to its 24-hour helpline, 1.800.272.3900, during and after the holiday season when people return home and visit with friends and family whom they may not see as frequently during the year. The Alzheimer’s Association encourages anyone to call their helpline if anyone has a question or doubt about the state of an aging family member or friend.
Every individual may experience one or more of the 10 Warning Signs in different degrees. If you notice any of them, please see a doctor.

Alzheimer’s Association 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s

1. 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; relying on memory aides (e.g., reminder notes or electronic devices) or family members for things they used to handle on one’s own.

What’s typical: Sometimes forgetting names or appointments, but remembering them later.
2. 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 typical: Making occasional errors when balancing a checkbook.
3. 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 typical: Occasionally needing help to use the settings on a microwave or to record a television show.
4. 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 typical: Getting confused about the day of the week but figuring it out later.
5. 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. In terms of perception, they may pass a mirror and think someone else is in the room. They may not realize they are the person in the mirror.

What’s typical: Vision changes related to cataracts.
6. 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 typical: Sometimes having trouble finding the right word.
7. 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 typical: Misplacing things from time to time, such as a pair of glasses or the remote control.
8. 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 typical: Making a bad decision once in a while.
9. 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 typical: Sometimes feeling weary of work, family and social obligations.
10. 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 typical: Developing very specific ways of doing things and becoming irritable when a routine is disrupted.
Early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias is an important step in getting appropriate treatment, care and support services.

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

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