Rambling

Heading out to Philadelphia for the night.  Just needed to get out of the house for a little while.  Spoke to Mom earlier in the day and she let me know she didn't go to church today.  She wasn't feeling well this morning.  According to her she woke up all of a sudden and thats all she said that made any real sense.  What I gathered is that she got up quickly and was light-headed.  But she usually is light-headed so this is not unusual.  I suggested that she may have had a bad dream but she did what she usually does when you ask her questions on her health.  She blows you off.  Personally I think her health is failing in general.   I think she sees the end.  Maybe not tomorrow but soon.  Last week she got a letter from the bank and didn't want to open it even though it read OPEN IMMEDIATELY on the envelope.

So......I decided to get out for a while.  I am taking a train ride to Philly at 9 in the evening.  I will come back tomorrow sometime.  When you are a caregiver...even long distance you need to occasionally put some distance between yourself and the world.  Sometimes it clears your head.  And what will I do in Philly.  Probably nothing but get on the first train or bus back in the morning.

And as for Mom?  There is nothing I can do for her.  She is 85 years old.  Anything I THINK I am doing to help is probably going to make the situation worse.  I just want her to be comfortable.

Web MD slideshow on Caregivers

http://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/ss/slideshow-avoid-caregiver-burnout

PREPARING YOURSELF FOR ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE

courtesy of senior care society, here is some interesting information regarding Alzheimer's Disease:
http://seniorcaresociety.com/article/preparing-yourself-for-alzheimer-s-disease.html

At the Senior Care Society we understand how earth shattering it can seem when you have received a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease from your loved one’s physician, but we are here to help. An Alzheimer’s diagnosis does not necessarily mean you will not be able to care for your loved one at home, but you must be prepared. The good news in this is that there is a lot of support and resource information available to you right here, the Senior Care Society is here to help you navigate your way through caring for your loved one at home or in finding the right skilled nursing home.

There are particular steps suggested that one should take in order to be as prepared as possible for the challenges that lie ahead for you and your loved one. The first step is in getting the diagnosis and then in fully understanding what stage of Alzheimer’s or related dementia your loved one is in. Educating yourself on the disease is very important and will help you to recognize and understand the progressive stages of the disease, thus helping you to cope and prepare for the challenges each phase the disease presents you with.

The Senior Care Society strongly recommends that as well as reading our related articles on Alzheimer’s found here, you contact your local Alzheimer’s Association Support Groups. Below we have listed the 7 stages of Alzheimer’s for a better understanding of what to expect with each stage. Every home and environment is different, but understanding what problems each stage may present will help you to know with what and when you will need to safe proof your home for Alzheimer’s.

Stage 1: Normal Appearing Functions - There are no signs of impairment or memory loss and the patient shows no sign of dementia during their interview with their medical professional. Functions are still normal.

Stage 2: Very Mild Cognitive Losses - Symptoms that may be dismissed as age related lapses may be the first signs of Alzheimer’s disease such as forgetting familiar words and misplacing items, but there are still no indications of dementia during medical examinations or noticeable indicators by family or friends.

Stage 3: Mild Cognitive Declines – Family members and friends may begin to notice some of the following symptoms, or during a thorough medical exam doctors may detect problems with memory or concentration. Here are some of the common stage 3 symptoms:

1. Difficulty in finding words or names.
2. Inability to recall someone’s name after introduction.
3. Inability to recall something just read. Family or friends see a noticeable difficulty in performing usual tasks in work or a social setting.
4. An increase in difficulty with organizing or planning.
5. Misplaced or lost items of value

Stage 4: Moderate Cognitive Losses (early stage Alzheimer’s) – In this phase of the disease a careful medical examination should detect clear-cut signs and symptoms in numerous areas:

1. Cannot recall current or recent events. Forgetfulness.
2. Inability or impairment in performing challenging mental math; i.e. counting backwards from 100 by 7’s.
3. Increased problems with performing routine complex tasks; i.e. handling bill paying, management of finances, planning a dinner party for friends.
4. Difficulty recalling one’s own personal life or history.
5. Noticeable moody change (permanent) or withdrawn, in particular in social or mentally challenging circumstances.

It is important to note that each phase of Alzheimer’s while distinct, may also overlap or vary from one person to the next.

Stage 5: Moderately Severe Cognitive Decline – ( Mid-Stage Alzheimer’s) Very clear memory lapses and gaps, Alzheimer’s patients will need assistance with daily functions which may include the following:

1. Unable to recite common information such as address or telephone number, where they graduated from or what year and the like common knowledge things.
2. Confusion as to where they are or which day it is.
3. Difficulty with less complex math problems; i.e. counting backwards from 20 by 2’s.
4. Difficulty with making appropriate clothing choices; i.e. warm clothes for winter.
5. Able to control bowel/toilet functions. Patient is still able to eat on their own.

Stage 6: Severe Cognitive Digression: Mid-Stage or Moderately Severe Alzheimer’s – At this stage of the disease progression the person will have worsening memory lapses, personality changes may be obvious, and help with daily functions increase dramatically. At this point the person may experience:

1. Loss of awareness of where they are/surroundings or recall/awareness of recent experiences.
2. May still recall their own name but not really remember who they are, personal history.
3. May have difficulty to remember the name of a caregiver or spouse, but still distinguish familiar and unfamiliar people.
4. Require more assistance in dressing, may make mistakes such as putting two different shoes on, or on the wrong foot, putting inappropriate clothing on or in example putting pajamas on top of street clothing at bedtime.
5. Changes in Sleep Patterns; may begin sleeping during the daytime hours and becoming restless at night.
6. Require Assistance with Bathroom Functions; Needs help with wiping properly, properly disposing of toilet paper or flushing.
7. Incontinence; Increasing difficulty in controlling bowel and urinary functions.
8. Wandering or Getting Lost
9. Severe Personality Changes; Person displays major behavior changes - i.e. has become delusional or suspicious (caretaker or spouse is an imposter) displays compulsive behavior such as rocking, handwringing or tearing tissues.

Stage 7: Very Severe Cognitive Decline; Late-Stage Alzheimer’s Disease – At this stage of the disease all daily functions require assistance; the person will have lost their ability to control movement, respond to the world around them or have a conversation (they may still utter words, phrases, or sounds). All of their personal care will need to be performed for them including eating, bathing and bathroom functions. The person may now be unable to sit without support, hold up their head, or smile. Swallowing becomes impaired, muscles become rigid and reflexes abnormal.


Senior Care Society is proud to have joined with the Alzheimer's Association as a member of the Alzheimer's Early Detection Alliance.  As a member we are committed to educating everyone about the warning signs of Alzheimer's and the importance of early detection.

A half month without Facebook

I stopped messing with Facebook around December 20 and shut my account down around the first of the month.  I feel better about myself already.  Facebook is a distraction and it builds a false life.

Another quickie 1/8

Just a picture of the cat.  You would be amazed at how helpful they are in stressful situations

Quick Post 1/8/2013

It's 8:30 in the morning and my train just left Washington DC enroute to New York.  I have been on this train since 4 yesterday afternoon.  Despite that Amtrak remains my most favorite method of transportation.  I should arrive in New York around noon.
God willing I should be back with my mother in Florida around Easter which is late March this year.  I would probably get to Florida around Palm Sunday.
I managed to get some stuff done this trip.  She made her appointment at the doctor and got her hearing aid serviced.  We made it to the bank and I got her registered online so I can pay some of her bills electronically.
Couldn't get the eye surgery.  The pastor of her church who had the information was in a serious accident and at last check was in the intensive care unit at a hospital NOT in Daytona Beach.  Besides, I can still sense Mom stalling.  I don't push the cataract surgery.  Her eyes are already paralyzed.  I push for the surgery and she loses vision then what?  This one is her call.

Random Thought

Until we learn what is making people more psychotic, hopeless and desperate we will continue to have mass killings like we have had over the past year.

AND...we have to understand there is only sso much you can cut before you seriously feel the damage.  Cutting funds to health care, schools, and the police will result in serious problems.  Cutting funds to senior programs and not providing enough for the homeless and the hungry is just immoral.

Quick thought

I have found in life that most of the time, how we treat another human depends on if we like them, if we want to like them and HOW you like them.  People generally go on their spiritual upbringings and do unto others the way we would want them to do to us.  When I sayy HOW we like hem it has been my experience that we treat people nicer for racial and sexual reasons.
Just my observation

Social Media New Life

I gave up my FB account on December 20.  I officially deactivated it about a week later after I copied some phone numbers.  I don't miss it.

As I said before Facebook is not real.  The people on there are not your friends.  Folks use that forum to say things to you they would not dare say to your face.  You don't "ignore" your friends and you don't allow other friends to attack your friends.  And for the most part you can disagree with your friends without getting ripped up or without fear of getting harassed by friends of your friend.

Not doing right

I am still in Florida with Mom.  Not very pleased with how she is doing.  Overall she is...ok, but most days she complains of light-headedness.  However, most mornings she wakes up around 8 or 8:30 and won't eat or drink anything until close to noon.  She doesn't drink water as often as she should.  If she drinks two cups a days that would be a lot.  Naturally I think dehydration is a part of the problem.  Dehydration can trigger light headed feelings or dizziness.  Can't get her to change though.

First post...sort of

This is my first mobile post.  After having my android phone for a couple of years I decided to upload the application.  I still prefer the traditional computer or laptop method but this may work when I get an idea for a quick blog and don't want to write a draft.

Bobby Womack diagnosed with signs of Alzheimer's disease

I have felt for a while that our appraoch to this disease is wrong.  Years ago we were just "senile",  Now we just have "Alzheimer's Disease".  Possibly even more scary than the disease is the fact that as a society we already have a very poor way of dealing with our elderly (and the poor).  In today's world we will not help anybody unless money is involved.  Unfortunately there are going to be more noteable people getting this.



Bobby Womack diagnosed with signs of Alzheimer's disease