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Treatment and Support for Families Affected by Alzheimer's and other Memory Disorders

January 2011

Vol 1, Issue 8

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Forget-Me-Nots

forget-me-nots

C= aregiver <= /span>

N= etwork<= /span>

N= ews<= /span>

A mont= hly newsletter for caregivers of loved ones with memory loss

COMMUNICATING <= /span>with DEMENTIA

One of the most difficult things for caregivers to do is to cha= nge the way they talk with their memory-impaired loved ones. "Family members simply cannot recognize how severe the memory = loss is," says Dr. Beverly Jones, a Winston-Salem geriatric psychiatrist. "They see the same person on the outside and just can't comprehend how different they are on the inside." = <= /span>

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The following list of Communica= tion Tips came directly from individuals with early memory loss. K= eep these in mind the next time you're trying to talk to your loved one= :

Speak with a smile, so I know that you care. A smile takes away tension and helps put me at ease.<= span style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#6= 66666'>

If you are tense, remember, I feel your tension too.

Use language I understand - = keep it simple, no jargon or slang. Rephrase information if I'm ha= ving trouble understanding.

S-l-o-w down your speech.&nb= sp; I need more time than I used to in order to process what you are saying.

Keep it short and to the poi= nt, one idea at a time.

Be clear and concise. Less is better. I get confused with too much information= .

Let me take the time to think through what you said to me. Remember it takes me extra time = to think through the meaning of words.

Let me set the pace of the conversation. Don't be afraid of a few seconds of silence.

Let me be the leader in the conversation - give me charge of the conversation. Sometimes there are things I want to talk about but I don't know how to say them.

Make sure you have my attention. It takes me a while to focus.
Ask me if I can hear you.&nb= sp; Face me when you talk, eye contact helps to get my complete attenti= on.<= /span>

Give me time... time...time = to find the words and to say my thoughts.

Let me finish what I am tryi= ng to say, it takes a little longer and sometimes it takes a lot longer.

Take the time to help me get= my thoughts out. Ask me short, simple questions to help find the words. Words are often confusing. Sometimes pointing or showing me what you mean can help.

Please repeat information if= I ask.

Make sure I hear you, ask if= I understand what you have said.

Tone of voice - adjust it up= or down. Louder is NOT always better!

Please, don't interrupt me.<= /span>

Please be patient! Don= 't ever give up on me! I really DO want to be a part of the conversation.

(adapted from Alzheimer's Reading Room)

To read more about living day-to-day with a memory-impaired individual, click on = the following link to an article from the Winston-Salem Journal:

http://www2.journalnow.com/news/2010/d= ec/30/wsmet06-advice-to-caregivers-reassure-and-dont-arg-ar-653602/<= /a>

WISE WORDS from PEOPLE WITH<= /span>

EARLY MEMORY LOSS<= /span>

"Our value lies in w= hat we are, not in our ability to recite the recent past."<= /span><= /span>

- a man living with Alzheimer's Disease

<= /span><= /span>

"I= want to go to lunch with friends, complain about the local sports teams = and talk about the same stuff they do."<= /span>

- Los Angeles 2007 Early Stage Forum

"I want to be treated...just like normal. Alzheimer's isn't my whole life. I want to be included. I am more than memory or a diagnosis."

- Tommy Thompson, member of NC Red Clay Ramblers<= /span>

need help?<= /span>

"All of us, at certain moments of our lives, need to take advice and to receive help from other people." <= /span>

- Alexis Carrel <= /span>

3D"Description:

Are you a caregiver in need of someone to talk= to,

but can't get to our Network Support Group meetings?&nb= sp; Or maybe you just aren't a "group meeting" kind of person? Let us set you up with a <= em>MemoryCare= Mentor, another caregiver who's already gone through what you're going thro= ugh, who can offer you help, advice and comfo= rt, who can talk with you one-on-one on the phone, by email, or in person. Contact us at 828.230.4143 or network@memorycare.org= .

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HOW'S your MEMORY? =

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3D"Description: <= /p>

<= /p>
The test has 3 parts: In the first part, you'll be shown 12 photos. In the second part, you'll be shown another 12 photos. And in the third part, you'll be shown 48 photos, and asked if you saw them in the first part, the second par= t, or not at all. When you have finished, your results will be g= iven to you.

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Allow about 15 minutes. Hint: you'l= l do better if you've had enough sleep!

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Click HERE to begin.

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= = CAREGIVERS<= /strong><= /span>

&nb= sp; = BOOK

&nb= sp; = CLUB

Jan's Story, - Emmy-award winning CBS news correspondent's poign= ant memoir about his wife's early-onset Alzheimer's and its impact on t= heir lives.=

<= /span>

Still Alice, by Lisa Genova - a novel written from the perspective of a Harvard professor who receives an Alzheimer's diagnosis at the age of 49.<= /span>

<= /span>

Forget Memory, by Ann Basting - emphasizes the importa= nce of activities that focus on the present to improve the lives of per= sons with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias.<= /span>

<= /span>

The Pleasure Was Mine, by Tommy Hays - a novel. "...Hays beautifully captures a husband's grief as he watches = his beloved wife slip into Alzheimer's....An intimate, loving portrait = of a dreaded disease's devastating effects."<= /span>

<= /span>

CAREGIVER CALENDAR

3D"Description: &nbs= p; MEMORYCAREGIVERS NETWORK

= &nbs= p; &= nbsp; SUPPORT GROUPS

= &n= bsp; = ; free & open to the public

= = ; &n= bsp; = ; &n= bsp; FIRST TUESDAY GROUP

1:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Calvary Episcopal Church (in the library), Fletcher, N.C.<= /b>

           Hendersonville Road across from Fletcher Ingles<= /b>

           &n= bsp;            = ;            &n= bsp;

THIRD TUESDAY GROUP=

1:00 - 3:00 p.m

      New Hope Presbyterian Church

3070 Sweeten Creek Road, Asheville, N.C.<= /b>

   &= nbsp;    (across from Givens Estates)

=

"MEMORYCARE CLUB"

Our Support Group f= or persons with early memory loss

(Initial screening required. Please call for information)<= /b>

Meets concurrently = with the Third Tuesday Group

<= /b>

     For more information about any of these, contact:<= /b>

=            &n= bsp;            = ; = Mary Donnelly          = ;            &n= bsp;            = ;          Pat Hilgendorf<= /b>

=            &nbs= p;            &= nbsp; 828.230.4143         &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p; 828.645.9189         <= /span><= /b>

<= /b>network@memorycare.org            &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;  patricia.hilgendorf@gmail.com

= ____________________________________________________________________= _______________

=

CAREGIVER WORKSHOP:

= "Typical Progression of Dementia - What Can You Do to Help?"=

= featuring<= /span> TEEPA SNOW

= occupational therapist & nationally respected dementia care specialist

=

= Tuesday, M= arch 1,   2:00 - 4:00 p.m.

= Performing= Arts Center, Oxford Commons<= /b>

= Givens Est= ates, 2360 Sweeten Creek Rd, Asheville, 28803

= There is no fee, but registration is required.

= Please call 828.274.4801 ext. 2249  or = 828.771.2219

=

Sponsored by MemoryCare<= /span>

____________________________________________________= _______________________________

CAREGIVER COLLEGE  =

MemoryCare's= 12-week education series for caregivers, consisting of six two-hour= sessions.
Classes are held on Tuesdays, 4-6pm

= Cost $100 (free to MemoryCare families)

Prior registration required. Call (828) 712.22= 19 to enroll.

= The next series begins April 5, 2011.<= /span>

=   ____________________________________________________________________= _______________

=            &n= bsp;

NOTABLE QUOTABLES

"Walking with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone in the light= .."

&nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p;
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; - Helen Kelle= r

&= nbsp;

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HAPPY NEW YEAR!

MemoryCare relies on charit= able donations for operations. Please consider MemoryCare in your estate planning.

To visit our website, click on

www.memorycare.org<= /o:p>

Click Here to forward this Newslette= r to a Friend!

Join our Mailing List!<= /p>

<= span style=3D'mso-bookmark:"LETTER\.BLOCK21"'>MemoryCare gratefully acknowledges support from the

Glaxo-= Smith-Kline Foundation's Ribbon of Hope Program

for making this newsletter possible.

Forward email

This email was sent to marino@memorycare.org by network@memorycare.org.

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= MemoryCare= | 100 Far Horizons Lane | Asheville | NC | 28805

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