Walk for the cure – September 8

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:

• The three-mile walk along the picturesque Riverwalk in Naperville, IL is suited for all fitness levels. 
• Ozzie, the mascot of the Kane County Cougars, will be our special guest to entertain the children.
• Our grand prize in the raffle is a Lazy-e-boy recliner

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/

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.

Questions To Ask When Looking For a Professional Geriatric Care Manager

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):

• Care Manager Certified (CMC), from the National Academy of Certified Care Managers (NACCM)
• Certified Case Manager (CCM), from the Commission for Case Manager Certification (CCMC)
• Certified Advanced Social Work Case Manager (C-ASWCM) from the National Association of Social Workers (NASW)
• Certified Social Work Case Manager (C-SWCM), from the National Association of Social Workers.

It is important for the wise consumer to ask questions. Some of these include:

1. What are the primary services provided by your agency/business?
2. How many Geriatric Care Managers are in your agency/business?
3. Is there a fee for the initial consultation and, if so, how much?
4. What are your professional credentials?
5. Are you licensed in your profession?
6. Are you a member of the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers?
7. How long have you been providing care management services?
8. Are you available for emergencies?
9. Does your company also provide home care services?
10. How do you communicate information?
11. What are your fees? (These should be provided to the consumer/responsible party in writing prior to services starting.)
12. Can you provide me with references?

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.

quick links

Standards of Practice

Code of Ethics

Credential Verification Form

Credentials & Descriptions

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.

http://act.alz.org/site/PageServer?pagename=walk_homepage&autologin=true

The Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s™ is the nation’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Held annually in more than 600 communities nationwide, this inspiring event calls on participants of all ages and abilities to reclaim the future for millions. Together, we can end Alzheimer’s disease, the nation’s sixth-leading cause of death.

Walk to End Alzheimer’s unites the entire community — family, friends, co-workers, social and religious groups and more — in a display of combined strength and dedication in the fight against this devastating disease. While there is no fee to register, each participant is expected to fundraise in order to contribute to the cause and raise awareness. The Alzheimer’s Association provides free, easy-to-use tools and staff support to help each participant reach their fundraising goal.
When you participate in Walk, your fundraising dollars fuel our mission-related initiatives of care, support and research. In addition, your actions, both through fundraising and participating in the event, help to change the level of Alzheimer’s awareness in your community. At a Walk event, you can learn more about Alzheimer’s disease and the support programs and services offered by your local chapter. You will also have unique opportunities to get involved with the cause through advocacy initiatives and clinical trial enrollment. These experiences, in addition to other on-site opportunities, help each participant connect to their reason for walking.
Take the first step to a world without Alzheimer’s by finding a Walk near you. Once you register, you will have access to a wide range of tools and support through your Participant Center, ensuring a successful and fulfilling experience.
Our mission
To eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health.
Our vision
A world without Alzheimer’s disease®.
Learn more about our mission-related activities or contact your local chapter for information about programs and services in your community.

Optimum Senior Care is Social…..

Use the Care Team Calendar to organize caregiving

The Alzheimer’s Association Care Team Calendar, powered by Lotsa Helping Hands, is a free, personalized online tool to organize family and friends who want to help with caregiving. This service makes it easy to share activities and information with your community.
Learn more >>

http://www.alz.org/care/alzheimers-dementia-care-calendar.asp?WT.mc_id=enews2012_08_08