Walk to End Alzheimer’s

Just as those facing Alzheimer’s rely on a team of people for care and support, we rely on teams to lead the fight against this disease on their behalf.
Sign up and start your team for the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s^®today. All of the funds raised help to advance the care, support and research efforts of the Alzheimer’s Association, moving us closer to realizing our vision of a world without Alzheimer’s disease.

Last year, more than 40,000 teams were part of our nationwide effort, including teamYES WE CAN! from Dayton, Ohio. Several of their team members have lost friends and family to Alzheimer’s or know someone who is fighting the disease today. Their team walks to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s programs and honor family and community members living with the disease. If you ask them “Do you think we can end Alzheimer’s?” They answer: “YES WE CAN!”
Register as a Team Captain today! Ask your classmates, co-workers, friends, social network and family members to join you in the fight against Alzheimer’s.
Sincerely,
Alzheimer’s Association
P.S. To make registration as quick and easy as possible, please log in with your username and password when prompted. Your username isvadaszgep2@yahoo.com. Set or reset my password now

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Alzheimer’s Association presents free audio conference on communicating through dementia

Tuesday, September 9 from noon to 1 p.m. on
Connecting / Communicating Through
the Cloud of Dementia

Presenter: Mike Bius, Manager of Education and Outreach Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Illinois Chapter
Whether it is Alzheimer’s or another dementia, one of the most frustrating challenges is trying to continue to connect with the person as they seem to be slipping away. Understanding how dementia affects the brain is a critical component of remaining connected to your loved one. Join us in this audio conference to gain insight into effective strategies to break through barriers and stay connected.
Audio conferences are held the second Tuesday of every month. Click here to register or call 309.662.8392. Once signed up, registrants will receive information and directions for the call.

Audio Conference

Cost: None.

Registration
Register online below or to register by mail or fax, click here to download form.

Dates and time: 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Program

Day

Register

Connecting / Communicating Through the Cloud of Dementia
Tuesday, September 9, 2014
[ click here ]

Your Way: How to Find Dignity and Choice When Considering Professional Care
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
[ click here ]

Legal and Financial Considerations for Older Adults: Dotting Your ‘i’s and Crossing Your ‘t’s
Tuesday, November 11, 2014
[ click here ]

Mindful Caregiving: Being Intentional for Yourself and Your Loved One
Tuesday, December 9, 2014
[ click here ]

Listen to past Audio Conferences

Program and Date

Listen

Alzheimer’s Preparedness
[ click here ]

Asking for Help
[ click here ]

Beyond Computers and Internet Technology
[ click here ]

Beyond Medication – Non Medical Therapies to Enhance Quality of Life
[ click here ]

Family Dynamics – What is Your Role?
[ click here ]

Healthy Aging
[ click here ]

Music Activities
[ click here ]

Planning a Suceesful Day with a Person with Alzheimer’s
[ click here ]

Description:
Are you too busy to attend an educational program? Audio Conference is designed for those who aren’t able to attend a program outside the home or office.

Once registered, you will receive through the e-mail, a toll free telephone number with instructions. On the day of the conference you will call-in and join many others who are seeking the latest information on memory loss.

Connecting / Communicating Through the Cloud of Dementia
Mike Bius, Manager of Education and Outreach Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Illinois Chapter
Whether it is Alzheimer’s or another dementia, one of the most frustrating challenges is trying to continue to connect with the person as they seem to be slipping away. Understanding how dementia affects the brain is a critical component of remaining connected to your loved one. Join us in this audio conference to gain insight into effective strategies to break through barriers and stay connected.

Your Way: How to Find Dignity and Choice When Considering Professional Care
Tami Wacker, Operations Manager and Regional Ombudsman, East Central Illinois Area Agency on Aging
Making the decision to accept outside help is never an easy one, and people are often surprised to learn of the many care options that are available. Join us as we discuss the various levels of care that can be brought into the home or found in the community. You will also learn strategies to make informed decisions about care and how to build realistic expectations.

Legal and Financial Considerations for Older Adults: Dotting Your ‘i’s and Crossing Your ‘t’s
John Lafond, Attorney at Law, Senior Staff Attorney—Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance Foundation
Planning for our legal and financial future is something we all should do, but too easily push to another day. If someone you care about has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, legal and financial planning is more important than ever. Participants will learn what issues need to be considered, and how to put those plans in place, no matter your income level.

Mindful Caregiving: Being Intentional for Yourself and Your Loved One
Richard Apple, LCSW—Senior Manager, Care Navigation Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Illinois Chapter
As the end of the year approaches, it seems the stress level gets higher and higher. Join us to learn ways to be mindful and intentional in your efforts to avoid burnout while continuing to feel good about the care you are providing. Specific strategies and techniques will be shared that can assist you in day-to-day caregiving.

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It may be difficult to tell depression and dementia symptoms apart

Depression is very common among people with Alzheimer’s disease, especially during the early and middle stages. Treatment is available and can make a significant difference in quality of life. Identifying depression in someone with Alzheimer’s can be difficult, since dementia can cause some of the same symptoms.

Depression is very common among people with Alzheimer’s, especially during the early and middle stages. Treatment is available and can make a significant difference in quality of life.

• Symptoms
• Diagnosis
• Treatment

Symptoms of depression

Identifying depression in someone with Alzheimer’s can be difficult, since dementia can cause some of the same symptoms. Examples of symptoms common to both depression and dementia include:

• Apathy
• Loss of interest in activities and hobbies
• Social withdrawal
• Isolation
• Trouble concentrating
• Impaired thinking

In addition, the cognitive impairment experienced by people with Alzheimer’s often makes it difficult for them to articulate their sadness, hopelessness, guilt and other feelings associated with depression.

Depression in Alzheimer’s doesn’t always look like depression in people without Alzheimer’s. Here are some ways that depression in a person with Alzheimer’s may be different:

• May be less severe
• May not last as long and symptoms may come and go
• The person with Alzheimer’s may be less likely to talk about or attempt suicide

As a caregiver, if you see signs of depression, discuss them with the primary doctor of the person with dementia. Proper diagnosis and treatment can improve sense of well-being and function.

Diagnosing depression with Alzheimer’s disease

There is no single test or questionnaire to detect depression. Diagnosis requires a thorough evaluation by a medical professional, especially since side effects of medications and some medical conditions can produce similar symptoms.
An evaluation for depression will include:

• A review of the person’s medical history 
• A physical and mental examination
• Interviews with family members who know the person well

Because of the complexities involved in diagnosing depression in someone with Alzheimer’s, it may be helpful to consult a geriatric psychiatrist who specializes in recognizing and treating depression in older adults. Ask your doctor for a referral.

The National Institute of Mental Health established a formal set of guidelines for diagnosing the depression in people with Alzheimer’s. Although the criteria are similar to general diagnostic standards for major depression, they reduce emphasis on verbal expression and include irritability and social isolation.

For a person to be diagnosed with depression in Alzheimer’s, he or she must have either depressed mood (sad, hopeless, discouraged or tearful) or decreased pleasure in usual activities, along with two or more of the following symptoms for two weeks or longer:

• Social isolation or withdrawal
• Disruption in appetite that is not related to another medical condition
• Disruption in sleep
• Agitation or slowed behavior
• Irritability
• Fatigue or loss of energy
• Feelings of worthlessness or hopelessness, or inappropriate or excessive guilt
• Recurrent thoughts of death, suicide plans or a suicide attempt

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Treating depression

Getting appropriate treatment for depression can significantly improve quality of life.

The most common treatment for depression in Alzheimer’s involves a combination of medicine, counseling, and gradual reconnection to activities and people that bring happiness. Simply telling the person with Alzheimer’s to “cheer up,” “snap out of it” or “try harder” is seldom helpful. Depressed people with or without Alzheimer’s are rarely able to make themselves better by sheer will, or without lots of support, reassurance and professional help.

Map out a plan to approach Alzheimer’s

There are many questions you’ll need to answer as you plan for the future. Use Alzheimer’s Navigator – our free online tool – to guide you as you map out your plan.
Learn more:
Alzheimer’s Navigator

Non-drug approaches

• Support groups can be very helpful, particularly an early-stage group for people with Alzheimer’s who are aware of their diagnosis and prefer to take an active role in seeking help or helping others; counseling is also an option, especially for those who aren’t comfortable in groups
• Schedule a predictable daily routine, taking advantage of the person’s best time of day to undertake difficult tasks, such as bathing
• Make a list of activities, people or places that the person enjoys and schedule these things more frequently
• Help the person exercise regularly, particularly in the morning
• Acknowledge the person’s frustration or sadness, while continuing to express hope that he or she will feel better soon
• Celebrate small successes and occasions
• Find ways that the person can contribute to family life and be sure to recognize his or her contributions
• Provide reassurance that the person is loved, respected and appreciated as part of the family, and not just for what she or he can do now
• Nurture the person with offers of favorite foods or soothing or inspirational activities
• Reassure the person that he or she will not be abandoned

Medication to treat depression in Alzheimer’s

There are several types of antidepressants available to treat depression. Antidepressants called Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) are often used for people with Alzheimer’s and depression because they have a lower risk than some other antidepressants of causing interactions with other medications.

As with any medication, make sure to ask about risks and benefits, as well as what type of monitoring and follow-up will be needed.

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Educational programs near you

The Greater Illinois Chapter offers community and family education programs throughout the year. These programs are geared for family members, diagnosed individuals, and interested members of the community. Many of these programs are free of charge, but some conferences and workshops do have a registration fee attached to them. Register today!

Search for events by education program Audio Conferences Know the 10 Signs: Early Detection Matters The Basics: Memory Loss, Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease Living with Alzheimer’s: For People with Alzheimer’s Legal and Financial Planning Learning to Connect: Relating to the Person with Alzheimer’s Living with Alzheimer’s: For Middle-Stage Caregivers Caregiver Stress: Relief, Acceptance and Empowerment Alzheimer’s Disease in the African American Community Understanding Early Memory Loss Conversations About Dementia Living with Alzheimer’s: For Early Stage Caregivers Living with Alzheimer’s: For Late Stage Caregivers

Search for events by month September 2014 October 2014 November 2014 December 2014 January 2015 February 2015 March 2015 April 2015 –

Search for events by month September 2014 October 2014 November 2014 December 2014 January 2015 February 2015 March 2015 April 2015 – http://www.optimumseniorcare.com/services/alzheimerscare.php

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Documentary paints powerful portrait of the impact of Alzheimer’s disease

The Genius of Marian is a visually rich, emotionally complex story about one family’s struggle to come to terms with the changes Alzheimer’s disease brings. The Alzheimer’s Association is proud to have worked closely with this family over the years and to provide expertise for the film’s educational materials. The Genius of Marian airs on the PBS series “POV” on Sept. 8.

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