Struggling with Alzheimer's Disease

Many families struggle with Alzheimer's Disease and other dementias. It is not just getting old that causes dementia. The mind just isn't working properly. While scientists work to find a cure, families need to better understand the disease and how to help their loved ones.

ChangingAging.org compiled some noteworthy resources, including the Alzheimer's Association.

They also recommend The Myth of Alzheimers:

"Perhaps the most profound website challenging the conventions of Alzheimer’s disease is TheMythofAlzheimers.com — “What you aren’t being told about today’s most dreaded diagnosis.”

The Myth of Alzheimer’s is a bold and direct challenge to the multi-billion dollar juggernaut that is the status quo of Alzheimer’s thinking, marketing and research. It’s an alternative approach seeking to humanize the way we think about brain aging and strengthen the care and solidarity provided to people affected by memory loss."

Community Fairs - Financial Assistance and Law Day

Many community organizations provide information and assistance for older adults, their family members, and other informal care partners. The Baltimore CASH Campaign is sponsoring Money Power Day 2011 this Saturday, April 2, 2011 from 9 am - 3 pm at Poly-Western High School (1400 W. Cold Spring Lane, Baltimore)

Money Power Day is a FREE annual event providing Baltimore area residents and workers with quality financial services including:

• Free tax preparation


• Free credit reports and credit counseling


• Customized financial planning


• Housing counseling


• Screening for public benefits


• Financial programs for youth.

The Bar Association of Baltimore City is holding its 20th Annual Law Day for Seniors program on Saturday, April 16, 2011, at the Edward F. Borgerding District Court Building, 5800 Wabash Avenue, from 8:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. As in past years, the purpose of Law Day 2011 is to educate seniors, their families, and caregivers about available community resources and legal issues affecting the elderly. If you have any questions or need additional information about the event, please contact Jacqueline A. Jones, Paralegal, at 410-396-5278.

TV shows and web site assistance for Family Caregivers

Caregivers face many challenges, including financial, emotional, and physical, when they care for a friend or family member.

A Message from Joan Lunden: There are 45 million family caregivers in America who are assisting chronically ill, disabled or aged family members or friends. Family caregivers sacrifice not only their time, but often their physical and economic well-being in the process. Taking Care is a groundbreaking and courageous four-part series examining the growing concerns over caregiving.

Two free web sites are available to help families and friends coordinate care and keep people up to date:

Caring Bridge provides free websites that connect people experiencing a significant health challenge to family and friends, making each health journey easier.

Another site, Lotsa Helping Hands, provided by National Alliance for Caregiving, is a web-based caregiving coordination service that allows family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues to create a community and assist with the daily tasks that become a challenge when caring for an aging loved one or during long-term caregiving.

Do you have someone to talk to about caregiving? We are thinking of starting a support group at Stadium Place.

Short Video from Graceful Aging about Preventing Falls

From GracefulAging.Com: http://www.gracefulaging.com/safety/home-safety/why-do-seniors-fall.

Falls occur from environmental factors-physical things in your home. Falls also occur from your physical condition. Understanding where you may be increasing your chances for a destabilizing and harmful fall is the first safety step you need to take. Physical Therapist Zanobia Rabebeh helps us see ourselves and our home differently. The differences she highlights could mean all the world to your personal safety and good living. Short video: http://vimeo.com/20409074

Thanks to http://changingaging.org/ ChangingAging.org for this link.

Spring Cleaning and Income Taxes

March means the coming of spring, which is a time of spring cleaning and income tax preparation. A recent Forbes article notes that tax season is a good time to discuss finances with an aging relative http://blogs.forbes.com/meghancasserly/2011/03/01/your-aging-parents-and-tax-season-a-getting-started-guide/. Proper financial planning includes maintaining a list of accounts (banks, brokers, etc.) and insurance coverage, as well as plans for future care. Another article reminds us that children may claim a parent as a dependent or set up a multiple support agreement with other siblings. http://www.caring.com/articles/save-money-on-your-taxes-family-caregiving?utm_medium=email&utm_source=suggests&utm_campaign=pay&utm_content=20110302

Many people struggle with cleaning a house or apartment when it's time to move or downsize. It's helpful to clean as you go. So take this opportunity to look at the piles of clothes that may not fit or books that fill your shelves and consider donating them to an area charity.

Growing Older and Long Distance Caregiving

I read several interesting articles recently about family caregiving and changing roles between children and their parents. Transitions are difficult, as individuals get older and are not able to do everything they previously enjoyed. Families need to spend time together and talk about their care plans, how they can help each other and not be a burden.

Here is a wonderful article by Caitlin Gibson in the Washington Post about a couple who celebrated their 80th Valentine's Day this year. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/13/AR2011021303355.html?sid=ST2011021301591

Long distance caregiving is a growing challenge for many adults. Liza Berger writes in Today's Caregiver (Feb. 25, 2011) that more than three million Baby Boomers help to coordinate care for a family member or friend who lives at least an hour away. Among several good suggestions in getting organized, she suggests that people build a team of family, friends and care professionals that you can turn to for help in caring for your loved ones. http://www.caregiver.com/channels/long_distance/articles/long_distance_care_phenomenon.htm

Sharing and Remembering

Susan Reimer wrote an interesting column yesterday http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2011-01-24/news/bs-ed-reimer-20110124_1_forgettings-memories-perfect-pitch about Nora Ephron's new book, "I Remember Nothing."

Many people struggle with failing memories. It is a common challenge of aging.

I find that I don't remember much about my childhood. However, my father has a great memory. He just wrote a 30 page "memoir" about his life for my children. We learned about many stories that we had never known before.

Do you share stories of your youth with your children and grandchildren? How many of you have written down these stories for future generations?