n4a Annual Conference & Tradeshow 7/18/10 and 7/19/10 in St. Louis

Viki will be attending the n4a’s Annual Conference and Tradeshow all day on July 18th and will be presenting on July 19th from 3:15-4:15pm.

The National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a) is the leading voice on aging issues for Area Agencies on Aging and a champion for Title VI Native American aging programs. Through advocacy, training and technical assistance, they support the national network of 629 AAAs and 246 Title VI programs.

They advocate on behalf of their member agencies for services and resources for older adults and persons with disabilities. Action characterizes how they move their agenda forward, and when there is a question about aging, they have the Answers on Aging. They work with their members in achieving their collective mission of building a society that values and supports people as they age.

The n4a 2010 annual conference and tradeshow that runs from July 17-21, 2010 at the Hyatt Regency St. Louis at The Arch in St. Louis, MO will celebrate, showcase and facilitate the replication of the most innovative policies, programs and services that assist older adults and people with disabilities.

Have a kind and respectful day.

Healthy Aging Radio Show will be featuring Viki Kind on June 28, 2010 at 5pm EST

This Monday, Dr. Michael Perskin will be featuring Viki Kind on his show “Healthy Aging” on Monday, June 28, 2010 from 5-6pm EST.

Every Monday from 4 – 6 pm ET, Dr. Michael Perskin joins the Doctor Radio lineup on SIRIUS Satellite Radio to answer listener questions about aging and the care of the elderly. Dr Perskin is a specialist in geriatric medicine and works with individuals as well as family members caring for their loved ones. Sometimes the questions we have can be as simple as “why do my knees hurt?”, and sometimes they are as difficult as “my mother can’t remember who I am.” Knowing where to turn when medicine and age intersect is a prescription for less stress, better care and a healthier life.

Michael H. Perskin, MD, is the Director of the Faculty Group Practice for the Department of Medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center, as well as Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine.

Dr. Perskin’s clinical practice is devoted to individualized patient-centered care. His focus is on prevention, comprehensive geriatric care management, and diagnosis.

Have a kind and respectful day.

A Caregivers Journey interviews Viki Kind on 6/28/10 at 11am PST

A Caregivers Journey is a free radio show run by Susan Baida and John Mills, co-Founders of eCare Diary.com. This show will focus on issues of care providers, long-term care, advanced aging — and it will feature expert speakers on aging, long-term care, dementia and other illnesses and issues typically associated with aging in America.

eCareDiary.com is a one-stop source for all things aging. They support both the aging community AND care providers. They are sought after speakers on advanced aging and care providing, and their website is a huge source of tools and information.

Have a kind and respectful day.

Interview with Natalie Buriel, MSW and Linda Alexander-Lieblang, Director opf Regions, Alzheimer’s Association, California Southland Chapter, “Memory Club and other services available at the Alzheimer’s Association”

Listen live or download later to my interview with Natalie Buriel, MSW and Linda Alexander-Lieblang, RMT, MA, Director of Regions, Alzheimer’s Association, California Southland Chapter to discuss the Memory Club and other services available at the Alzheimer’s Association on January 29th, 10AM pacific, on Blogtalkradio.com/kindethics

Whether your you or your loved one has Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, the Alzheimer’s Association has specialized services available no matter what stage or situation you are dealing with.  I have listed below a number of their services.  Take some time and look through what they have to offer.   Check out their resources at Alz.org.  They also have support material in Chinese, Spanish and Korean.

The Alzheimer’s Association is there to help.  Please reach out to them and get the support and help you need.

Have a kind and respectful day.

Helpline

The Alzheimer’s Association Helpline operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, in 140 languages. Our staff is highly trained and knowledgeable about all aspects of Alzheimer’s disease. Call us if you have questions about:

· Alzheimer’s disease or memory loss, medications and treatment options, brain health and care options

· How the Association can help you

· Caregiving tips and respite care options

· Services available in your community and referrals

You can also call us for emotional support –– as often as you need. We know that living with Alzheimer’s can be overwhelming at times. Remember, we are here for you –– all day, every day.

Care consultation

Our professional staff is dedicated to helping people navigate through the difficult decisions and uncertainties people with Alzheimer’s and their families face at every stage of the disease. We can provide care consultation services to you by telephone, e-mail or in person. These include:

· Assessment of needs

· Assistance with planning and problem solving

· Supportive listening

Contact us for more information:

Phone: 1.800.272.3900

Support groups

Support groups provide a safe place where people go to learn, listen, share and gain emotional support from others who are also on a unique journey of providing care to a person with dementia.  Support groups are held at various times and in many different communities and languages. Each group is different, and depending on each person’s needs will offer different things. Check to see if there is a group close to you that fits your needs.

Support group listing

Message boards

The Alzheimer’s Association message boards and chat rooms provide an online community for persons with Alzheimer’s, caregivers and care providers. Our message boards have thousands of registered members from around the United States and thousands more who refer to the stories and information that is available 24 hours a day.

Join the Alzheimer’s Association online community.

Publications

· The Alzheimer’s Association offers dozens of fact sheets and brochures.
Click here for a listing.

We also maintain a variety of educational materials (brochures, videos, audiotapes and books) on topics related to Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders. To learn more about our library, call us at 1.800.272.3900.

Quarterly magazine

Our chapter also prints a free quarterly magazine. Click here to view the current issue. If you would like a hard-copy, please call the Helpline at (800) 272-3900.

Educational programs

We offer many educational programs each year that address the specific interests of the general public, individuals with the disease and their families.

Education program listing.

Professional training

We offer classroom and Web-based training for healthcare supervisors and direct care workers in assisted living and nursing homes. Many programs allow you to earn CEUs.

Professional training listings.

Multilingual information

Alzheimer’s disease and other disorders that cause dementia know no boundaries. Many individuals and families in ethnic and cultural minority groups are in need of solid information about Alzheimer’s disease and health resources.

· Chinese educational materials

· Korean educational materials

· Spanish educational materials

Lasman Family Library

The Alzheimer’s Association maintains a multimedia library of books, periodicals, videotapes, CDs, DVDs and other materials pertinent to Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders. The collection covers activities, adult day services, caregiving issues, diagnosis, first-person accounts, legal and financial issues, long-term care options, medical research, memory, stages of Alzheimer’s, and more. There is a selection of children’s books, as well as resources in Spanish and other foreign languages. The library is available to family members, caregivers, professionals and students.

The Lasman Family Library is open from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Appointments are required; please call (323) 938-3379 and ask for Judy.

• First time borrowers must register.
• A sign-out card must be completed for each item.
• The loan period for library materials is 30 days.
• Two videos or disks may be borrowed at one time, with a deposit by check of $100.00 for each, to be returned when the item is brought back.
• Four books may be borrowed at one time

Satellite libraries with basic collections are housed at these Southland offices:
Greater San Fernando Valley (Northridge); please (818) 677-4404
Coachella Valley (Rancho Mirage): (760) 328-6767

WE MAKE NO PROVISION FOR LOANS BY MAIL:  ALL MATERIALS MUST BE PICKED UP IN PERSON.

Medic Alert® + Safe Return®

In a move to significantly improve the safety of individuals with Alzheimer’s, the Alzheimer’s Association and the MedicAlert Foundation have created an alliance to bring you MedicAlert® + Alzheimer’s Association Safe Return®.

MedicAlert + Safe Return offers you the best of both worlds:

· Assistance when a person wanders or is lost

· Access to vital medical information in the time of need

Learn more about Safe Return.

Adult Day Services

What are adult day services?
Adult day services are centers where people with memory problems can spend part of their day in a caring environment. What can they do for you?
• Provide time for you to:
• Go to your job
• Make phone calls and run errands
• Take a nap and rest
• Lower your stress
• Provide emotional support   What can they offer the person with memory loss?
• Time to be outside of the home
• Activities with other people
• A chance to make new friends
• A nutritious meal

Learn more about adult day services:
• Types of adult day services
• Steps to selecting adult day services
• Los Angeles County directory of adult day services
• Riverside and San Bernardino Counties directory of adult day services

Local resources and referrals

We maintain updated information on home care, adult day care, care coordination, assisted living, skilled nursing facilities, eldercare lawyers and transportation available in the community. Our staff and trained professionals can help assess whether a specific care provider meets the needs of an individual with Alzheimer’s.
Download the Resource Directory

For more information, please contact us: (800) 272-3900.

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Clinical trials index

· Clinical studies – what they are, why participate

· Nationwide clinical trials index

· Local clinical trials

· Local clinical trials-descriptions

Improving the Medical Experience of the Person struggling with Alzheimer’s or other memory loss

When a person with Alzheimer’s or dementia is going to have a medical test or procedure, how can we help the person to feel less frightened and to minimize any suffering? If the patient is struggling to understand what will be happening to them, do a practice run-through and show the person the room where the test will happen. Or find a book with pictures that will help him understand what you are talking about. If the person with diminished capacity is afraid of being alone, you may want to introduce him to the nurses who will be working that day. For my dad, we tape-recorded the doctor’s explanations so he could listen to the information over and over again until he felt more comfortable.

Another thing to keep in mind is that the patient may be experiencing symptoms that affect his or her participation. These symptoms could be pain, side effects of medications, loss of hearing or sight, lack of sleep, an undiagnosed illness and grief, to name a few. Find out what can be done to relieve these symptoms to make it easier for the individual to participate in the process. Ultimately, our goal is to think about the quality-of-life questions from the person’s perspective as he or she will experience the consequences of our decisions.

Have a kind and respectful day.

Interview with Carol Bursack, author of “Minding Our Elders”, on Jan. 12, 9AM pacific

Listen to interview on Jan. 12th, 9AM pacific on blogtalkradio.com/kindethics.com or listen live at 347-945-5152.

For over twenty years author, columnist and speaker Carol Bradley Bursack cared for a neighbor and six elderly family members. As a result of this experience, Bursack wrote Minding Our Elders: Caregivers Share Their Personal Stories, a portable support group for caregivers. Minding Our Elders is used as a college text for gerontology and nursing home administration classes as a way to humanize, for students, the family caregiving experience. Bursack’s award-winning Websites, www.mindingourelders.com and www.mindingoureldersblogs.com include links to helpful agencies, articles rich with information and comfort, links to chat groups, and resources for caregiver, boomer and senior needs.

Bursack’s elder care newspaper column, “Minding Our Elders,” runs weekly, in print and on-line. She is Editor-in-Chief of ElderCarelink.com. She’s an expert blogger and community leader on OurAlzheimers.com and the forum moderator and a regular contributor to AgingCare.com.

Bursack has been interviewed on many national radio shows, including “Mr. Eldercare,” “Today’s Author,” “The Ron Ross Show,” and Kevin Skipper’s “The Parent Care Show.” She has been interviewed and quoted in magazines and newspapers around the world, including Family Circle, Quick and Simple, North Jersey Media Group, The Leader-Telegram, Tampa Tribune and the Sydney Morning Herald. She also speaks on caregiving issues to groups of all sizes.

Bursack is a member of AARP, CAPS (Children of Aging Parents), the National Caregivers Advisory Panel, the National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA) and the National Council of Hospice and Palliative Professionals (NCHPP). As an expert in her field, she is featured in Montclair’s Who’s Who in Heath and has written hundreds of articles for national publications. Bursack is also a contributing author to “The Media Librarian’s Handbook,” (Facet Publishing, UK 2008) and contributing Author to: “Dementia: Frank and Linda’s story: New approaches, new understanding, new hope.” (Lion-Monarch, March 2010).

Mindingourelders.com

Have a kind and respectful day.

Rescheduled: Date TBD, Interview with Peter Lichtenburg Ph.D. on blogtalkradio.com/kindethic

Peter A. Lichtenberg, Ph.D., is the Director of the IOG and Professor of Psychology, Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience & Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation at Wayne State University. Dr. Lichtenberg received his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at Purdue University, where he also minored in aging. Dr. Lichtenberg will be discussing dementia, Alzheimer’s and the work of the Institute of Gerentology at Wayne State University, including the work of the Healthier Black Elders Center.

www.iog.wayne.edu — blog
www.dementiacoalition.org
http://www.mcuaaar.wayne.edu/events.php — Healthier Black Elders Center

Director of the IOG since 1999, Lichtenberg has led this research and education unit to record levels of funding (annual totals for the past 8 years are a 300-400% increase from previous highs), to an expansion of research focus by recruiting faculty in the area of cognitive neuroscience, and the leadership of several highly successful training and mentoring grants (See below for details on the Predoctoral and Postdoctoral Training and on the Michigan Center for Urban African American Aging Research). Dr. Lichtenberg also created the first IOG-funded development Board of Visitors which in its first 4 ½ years raised over $2.25 Million dollars.

Dr. Lichtenberg is the author of five books, including the highly acclaimed Handbook of Dementia (2003, Handbook of Assessment in Clinical Gerontology (Wiley press, 1999) and A Guide to Psychological Practice in Geriatric Long Term Care (Haworth Press 1994). In addition, Dr. Lichtenberg has edited a four volume series for the organization Medical Psychotherapy, and has published over 125 peer reviewed scientific articles. His particular areas of research include mental health in long term care, geriatric depression, geriatric psychology and
medical rehabilitation and the early detection and management of Alzheimer’s Disease.

Dr. Lichtenberg has been awarded many distinctions including the 1996 Early Career Award in Rehabilitation Psychology, Fellowship in the Gerontological Society of America and the American Psychological Association, the Outstanding Contribution Award for Psychologists in Long Term Care, and both the 2001 Distinguished Faculty Award and Outstanding Mentor Award at Wayne State University. In 2002, he was the first educator to be given the Alzheimer’s Advocate Award. In 2004, on behalf of the IOG, he accepted community honors from the Area Agency on Aging 1C and Wayne County. In 2006 he was awarded the Harry Kelly Award for outstanding leadership in Gerontology

Dr. Lichtenberg is a leader in many national and community organizations in Detroit and the State of Michigan including chair of the http://www.dementiacoalition.org/>Michigan Dementia Coalition, past-chair of the Central City Aging Services Consortium, and Board member for the Area Agency on Aging 1-B Advisory Board. Nationally, Dr. Lichtenberg was the Chair of the
Behavioral and Social Sciences Section of the Gerontological Society of America (2007), Chair of the APA Committee on Aging (2008) and a member of the APA Presidential Task Force on Integrated Care for an Aging Population.

The Institute of Gerontology at Wayne State University brings together science and service to advance the cause of aging research. Its multidisciplinary faculty, post-doctoral fellows, and pre-doctoral trainees focus on the social and behavioral aspects of lifespan health and cognitive development. Dedicated to promoting successful aging, the Institute of Gerontology is where research and outreach combine to make life better in Detroit and beyond.

Nighttime Day Cares for People with Dementia and Alzheimers

In my recent interview with the author of Becoming Dead Right: A hospice volunteer in urban nursing homes, Frances Shani Parker told me about a new concept that is spreading across the nation. Nighttime Day Care Facilities for people with dementia and Alzheimers. Instead of giving the caregiver a break during the workday, the caregiver gets a good night sleep. This is exceptionally helpful because people with dementia tend to be up and night and want to be entertained. No wonder so many caregivers are exhausted if they are up all night taking care of their loved one. Not only is this a great idea for the caregiver, the person with dementia gets the interaction and attention they need. They feel less frustrated, less isolated and more content.

You can start out with one or two times a week and add more as necessary. There will be a period of adjustment but most people really enjoy getting out and spending time at these day or night cares. Frances also said that this can be a good option for people who will eventually need to go to a care facility full time. Going to day or night day care will help the person transition more easily when the time comes.

This is also good for business because now the day care can cater to a whole new group of customers. The night time crowd.

If you would like to listen to the interview about what we can do to improve nursing homes and the recent regulatory changes mandating these changes, click on http://tinyurl.com/lrjj8c. You can listen on line or download it through itunes.

Have a kind and respectful day.

The day my dad was shot in the dementia unit.

Let me reassure you before the story begins that everything turned out all right. My dad fluctuated from mild to moderate dementia. When he became confused, his delusions would frequently return him to World War 2. He lived in an Alzheimer’s/dementia unit, but he was quite high functioning. One day I got a call from my dad and he tells me that he’s been shot by a small caliber pistol. He sounded alright and in no pain on the phone, so I began to ask questions. “Where were you shot dad?” He replied, “I have been shot in the stomach but it is probably not too bad because they were bullets from a small caliber pistol.” (Well, I didn’t know what size bullets come from a small caliber pistol but since he wasn’t too concerned, then neither was I.) I asked him if the people who shot him were still in the building. “I think they’re in the hallway” he said with a very frightened voice. I asked him if it was okay if I got the nurse to come and check on his wounds. He said it was okay but that she should be careful. I called the nurses station and explained the situation. I said that I thought that my dad was okay but perhaps his description of being shot in his stomach meant that he was having stomach problems and just couldn’t report symptoms accurately. She said she would go right down and then call me after she checked on him. I got a call a few minutes later and she said that he seemed to be just fine but he had again mentioned that he had been shot by a small caliber pistol. I asked, “Could you do me a favor and take out the bullets?” There was silence on the other end of the phone. I explained that he wouldn’t rest comfortably if he still thought the bullets were in him and maybe she could just push on his belly and tell him that the bullets had popped out. She thought it was a great idea and went in and to remove the bullets. She came back to the phone and let me know the bullets were out and he was feeling better. At this point neither of us thought it was funny. Even the nurse was serious about taking out imaginary bullets and helping my dad. (Now I knew it was funny but at the same time, my dad was so afraid of the people lurking in the hallways, I wasn’t in a laughing mood.)

How did the story end? After the nurse left, he said he felt much better but he was still very frightened because the shooters were still in the building. I told him that I would send in the special forces and they would clear building of the enemy. I told him that the special forces were so stealth that he wouldn’t see them or hear them in the hallways. It would just be done. (I don’t know much about the military so I had to think fast and try to figure out something that sounded realistic for him.) I called back later to see if my dad was doing better and he was relaxed and comfortable. He felt better and was able to get a good night’s sleep because I had protected him as he had protected me throughout the years. Each time my dad would come out of his delusional state, which fortunately only lasted for a few hours at a time, he would say to me, “I think I was confused right?” And I would respond, “Yes you were, but you’re okay now.” I realized at that time that it was better to choose to comfort someone with dementia rather than to argue with them and make them wrong. I’m not saying we shouldn’t strive to get people more engaged in reality, but when they reach out and tell us they are suffering, we should do our best to support and reassure them. I love telling this story because it makes me think of my dad.  My dad was a wonderful person. He died five years ago this month and I would give anything to hear one of his crazy stories again.

Have a kind and respectful day.

Should I take away my grandfather’s car keys? – Car Keys Part 1

Dear Viki,

My grandfather is losing his memory. The other day he got in a minor accident and couldn’t tell the police where he lived or who to call. I don’t want to be the one to do it but should I take away my grandfather’s car keys?

I understand what you are going through because I had to take away my Dad’s keys a few years ago. He was getting more and more confused and forgetful. I was lucky because I took away his keys before he hurt someone or himself. But many people aren’t that lucky. Their loved one kills someone by accident and the whole family is devastated.

So the answer to your question is now. You should take away his keys today before anything worse happens. What helped me make the decision for my dad was realizing that I was protecting him from himself. I had noticed that his behavior was getting worse but I didn’t want to face it. I wanted to believe that things weren’t that bad. But they were. Not only was he in danger in the car, but he was in danger getting around the house. He kept falling and hitting his head. After three trips to the emergency department, I realized that I had to take actions to protect him. The next time he fell would be my fault so I got him a walker to help him with his balance. And I knew that if he drove again and hurt someone, it would be my fault because now that I knew there was a problem, I would be responsible. I couldn’t live with myself if someone died because I wasn’t brave enough to do the right thing.

I am not saying this will be easy. My dad hated that I took away his keys. And I had to go through the whole house to find all the copies of the keys. I realized when I found 15 copies of the keys that he had been forgetting where he kept his keys and kept getting copies made. Another solution families choose is to disable the vehicle so the person can’t start the car even if there are more keys hidden in the house. Eventually my dad got rid of his car so he didn’t have to be reminded of his loss.

And yes it will be a loss and yes they will be angry and sad. I know that someday when my niece or nephew takes away my car keys, I am going to be so disappointed. I love the privilege and freedom of driving. It will be a terrible loss but hopefully I will remember that they are protecting me and loving me. I hope they have the courage to do the right thing even when doing the right thing is difficult to do.

Part 2, Dealing with the emotions. http://tinyurl.com/qjjpb8

Have a kind and respectful day.

Got a question?  Ask Viki.  <!–coldform–>

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