Santa Claus Came to Town!

Santa Claus stopped by to our communities on Christmas to visit the "good" boys and girls...

From all of us here at Caring Places Management, we wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

5 Christmas Ideas For Someone With Alzheimer's

All I want for Christmas is...
Still looking for the right gift for a person with Alzheimer's or a related dementia? Here are some ideas that might help.

Welcome Home

The following is a video-slideshow, entitled Welcome Home, that was produced by Carolyn Scherrer-Goldade of our very own Hearthside Manor. We loved it and had to pass it along. Enjoy!

Pattern for Someone with Alzheimers

The following blog post really builds off of thr last article we posted, which discussed trying new approaches with the ones we love who suffer from Alzheimer's. In the article that follows, the author discusses replacing bad patterns with good ones, an idea that we have discussed at length during some of the dementia conferences we've attended. Let's be creative and try to implement some of these ideas. They might not all "stick," but you'll never know if you don't try. 

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Did you ever think to yourself, I wonder if I could replace the "bad" patterns of behavior that are driving me crazy with "new' positive patterns of behavior? I did.

By +Bob DeMarco
+Alzheimer's Reading Room 

Alzheimer's Disease Changing Patterns of Behavior

Did you ever think to yourself, I wonder if I could replace the "bad" patterns of behavior that are driving me crazy with "new' positive patterns of behavior? I did.

I wonder if Alzheimer's caregivers think about patterns of behavior when it comes to caring for someone living with Alzheimer's disease.

Many persons living with dementia evidence patterns of behavior that drive Alzheimer's caregivers "nuts" or worse. 

Did you ever think to yourself, I wonder if I could replace the "bad" patterns with "new and good" patterns of behavior? 

I did.

Patterns.

All Alzheimer's patients evidence patterns of behavior.

Some of the patterns are simple -- like asking over and over what day it is. Others are more complex. One reader told us her husband was shaving four times a day and his face was getting "raw". Others pace. The list goes on and on.

My mother was evidencing all kinds of patterns of behavior -- doing the same crazy things at the same time of day or night -- over and over.

At approximately 9:37 PM, at night,  my mother would get up and announce that she needed to start cleaning the house. I am talking every night.

Imagine trying to explain to someone living with Alzheimer's disease that it is night time and you don't clean at bed time.

I'm not sure how many times I did this, more then I want to remember -- it didn't work.

My mother would wake up at approximately 1:29 AM, get out of bed, open up our front door, take a few steps and look around. After a few minutes she would come back in and get in bed.

Same thing at 4:29 AM. Each and every time, I would get up out of bed, stand back, and watch her do it. I did not intervene. After a year or so I finally started to understand why she was doing this.
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After a year or so of reading research about Alzheimer's disease and dementia, I came to a conclusion -- exercise was the single most important variable in caring for someone with Alzheimer's disease. I enrolled my mother in a gym for the first time when she was 87 years old. At first I put her in the class for seniors -- the Silver Sneakers class. It helped. 

One day when she came out of the class I decided to put her on the treadmill. She resisted, but she did it. 

Then something started happening that changed our lives. 

My mother would start walking on the treadmill and at the 6 minute and 30 second mark she would bend over like she was going to fall. She would grab the side rail on the treadmill and more or less hang over it. Her feet, however, would keep moving. At the seven minute mark she would stand back up, straight, and start walking. This happened every time. It amazed me.
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Patterns of behavior. I came to a conclusion through these observations.

First, most Alzheimer's patients have patterns of behavior -- some good, some bad. Second, most people without Alzheimer's have patterns of behavior -- they do the same kinds of things around the same time of day, over and over.

Patterns of behavior bring homeostasis into our lives. 

Having well defined patterns of behavior brings comfort, organization, and a sense of stability into our lives. The fact that we live a life of patterns also helps explain why most of us don't like change. And, why we resist change.

I thought to myself, what if I could change my mother's bad patterns of behavior and channel her energy into more positive patterns. 

I decided to introduce an entirely new set of behaviors and actions into our lives.

Over time I introduced one new behavior after another until we reached the point where our day was organized in a way that made each day very similar to the one that came before it.

Our day had a very well defined pattern and so did our daily actions and activities. A Pattern.
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Here is a simple example of how it worked.

Instead of waiting for my mother to ask me. "what day is it". Meaning what day of the week. I put the newspaper in front of her each morning and asked her, "what day it is it". Then, what is today's date? She would read this to me from the top of the newspaper.

I also bought a great big clock and put it on the wall right in front of her seat where she couldn't miss it. I also asked what time it is? I did this two or three times a day. It helped cured a couple of her repetitive behaviors.

Over the years I cured my mother of meanness, getting up in the middle of the night, urinary incontinence, and the dreaded bowel movement problem. I did this by introducing new patterns of behavior and news tools into our daily equation. 

Did it work perfectly -- no. But it worked.
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I Tried a New Approach

One of our favorite blogs we follow is the +Alzheimer's Reading Room. Recently, Marilyn Raichle shared a wonderful story about trying a different approach with her mother. We wanted to pass it along. Enjoy!

The Art of Alzheimer's

Mother has some major preoccupations – with two questions that she asks me over and over and over. 

What do I think Seattle will be like in 50 (or 55 or 250 or 500) years?

Do I think that women will begin wearing skirts again instead of pants?

I always answer by taking the question seriously and trying to come up with interesting answers.

This week I tried something new. I turned the table and asked her the questions.

“What do you think Seattle will be like in 50 years?” I ask

“Well, I won’t be here,” she laughs.

“I wonder what it will be like,” I persist
Now she’s interested.

“Well, I think women will be wearing skirts again."

“I don’t’ think there will be any room – the streets will be full with people everywhere.”

“My grandmother would be so amazed.”

“Do you think we will still drive cars?” I ask.

“There won’t be room. Maybe we will all fly.”

“Things change. That just what happens – there is nothing you can do to stop it.”

And then – out of the blue…

“I want to live to be 100.”

I always tell her I want her to live to 100, but this is the first time she has ever expressed that desire herself.

Mom’s family tends to be very long-lived. Since the 1850’s, a surprising number have lived into their mid to late 90’s – announcing when they will die and, right on schedule, doing so.

I’ve always thought that Mom would reach 100 by forgetting to tell herself to die.

But – just perhaps – she will tell herself to keep living.

Hope so.

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By Marilyn Raichle 

+Alzheimer's Reading Room 

+Marilyn Raichle writes The Art of Alzheimer’s – How Mother Forgot Nearly Everything and Began to Paint – a blog about her mother Jean, art and Alzheimer’s. Marilyn also works as an arts management consultant in the Greater Seattle area.

Crowdrise Holiday Challange

This is a great fundraiser that actor Seth Rogan and CrowdRise are helping to facilitate for Alzheimer's Association. Below is a summary of the fundraiser. Here is the official link: http://www.crowdrise.com/sethholiday

BENEFITING: Alzheimer's Association

EVENT: CrowdRise Holiday Challenge

THE STORY:

Everyone who donates at least $25 from 11/18 at 12:00pm ET to 1/9 at 11:59:59am ET will be automatically entered for a chance to win an Outgoing Voicemail Message from me.

There's a thief out there. And it's robbing people's memories. It's robbing their ability to talk. It's robbing their ability to eat, walk, get dressed, shower, or recognize their loved ones. It's robbing people of their ability to be humans. It's called Alzheimer's, and we've got to do something about it. And we've got to do something now. 

You all rock my world! Thanks!

Seth

PS – Curious about the Hilarity For Charity? HFC takes a new approach to fighting a terrible disease by raising funds and awareness among the millennial generation. All monies raised through Hilarity for Charity help families struggling with Alzheimer’s care today, increase support groups nationwide and fund cutting edge research through the Alzheimer’s Association.

Did you know: 

Today more than 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’sdisease. And they’re not all old and gray. People are developing Alzheimer's in their 30's, 40's, and 50's. 

The CrowdRise Holiday Challenge is donating $100,000 to the charity that raises the most money. I started my own charity fund, Hilarity for Charity, benefiting the Alzheimer’s Association and we could really use that money!

Another American develops Alzheimer’s disease every 68 seconds.

By 2050, as many as 16 million Americans will have the disease and an American will develop the disease every 33 seconds. (how old will you be in 2050?)

Alzheimer’s disease is the 6th leading cause of death in the United States.

Alzheimer’s is the only cause of death among the top 10 in America without a way to prevent, cure, or even slow its progression. The ONLY one.

Happy Thanksgiving

We hope everyone had a safe and fun Thanksgiving weekend and ate LOTS of turkey (gobble gobble)!

Here are some pictures from our celebrations -

Mother forgot my name. I cried.

Mother forgot my name. I cried.

By Barbara Pursley
+Alzheimer's Reading Room 

Embracing the Moment

Mother was forgetful. I was frustrated.

Mother was angry. I was angry.

Mother was delusional. I was bewildered.

Mother was confused. I was perplexed.

Mother was depressed. I was depressed.

Mother was diagnosed. I was shocked.

Mother was in denial. I was in denial.

Mother was withdrawn. I was fearful.

Mother was in pain. I was in pain.

Mother was adjusting. I was accepting.

Mother laughed. I was ecstatic.

Mother was physically present. I was emotionally absent.

Mother forgot my name. I cried.

Barbara Pursley was born in Galveston, Texas and is the author of EMBRACING THE MOMENT. Barabara attended Santa Monica College, studied photography, and worked as a commercial photographer before returning to Texas to care for her mother. Barbara also taught journal writing to women in Texas rehabilitation facilities. She put her God inspired journal entries and photographs into book form in 2009.

Alzheimer's Association Disease Facts & Figures 2013

These are the latest Alzheimer's statistics for the year 2013. 

The numbers are staggering and powerful. See for yourself: 

The more we understand, the more we can help.

Veterans Day

Honoring all who served. Thank you!

Walk to End Alzheimer's

The Alzheimer's Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s® is the nation’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Held annually in more than 600 communities nationwide, this inspiring event calls on participants of all ages and abilities to reclaim the future for millions. Together, we can end Alzheimer’s disease, the nation’s sixth-leading cause of death.

Walk to End Alzheimer’s unites the entire community — family, friends, co-workers, social and religious groups and more --- in a display of combined strength and dedication in the fight against this devastating disease. While there is no fee to register, each participant is expected to fundraise in order to contribute to the cause and raise awareness. The Alzheimer’s Association provides free, easy-to-use tools and staff support to help each participant reach their fundraising goal.

Recently, our Hearthside Manor Community put a team together to help support the Walk to End Alzheimer's. Caring Places Management is extremely supportive of the mission and vision of this event, and we hope even more have the opportunity to participate in this great cause. 

Here are some photos of the walk from our friends at Hearthside Manor:

Interested in learning more, or want to participate?

Take the first step to a world without Alzheimer’s by finding a Walk near you. Once you register, you will have access to a wide range of tools and support through your Participant Center, ensuring a successful and fulfilling experience.

Our mission
To eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health.

Our vision
A world without Alzheimer’s disease.

Learn more about our mission-related activities or contact your local chapter for information about programs and services in your community.

I have dementia. I also have a life.

We really liked these two TV commercials that were produced by Alzheimer's Society, and we wanted to pass them on. It's great to get people discussing dementia more openly and freely so that people can be informed and we can all learn together. 

Tell us what you think. 

Alzheimer’s Society is a United Kingdom care and research charity for people with dementia and their carers. It operates in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, while its sister charities Alzheimer Scotland and The Alzheimer Society of Ireland cover Scotland and the Republic of Ireland respectively. 

Here is a link to their website: http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/

Ray

Ray is a Resident at Easthaven Villa's Assisted Living Community. His wife, who is suffering from dementia, is a resident there too. Ray talks about his experience living at Easthaven, and Ray's daughter, Wendy, discusses the care that her parents receive.

Easthaven Villa is located on Cullens Road, a quiet, picturesque street that's just a turn off of SR 510/Yelm Highway. We have 52 assisted living studios and 4 one-bedroom assisted living apartments, all with their own, private entrance and patio. We also have a secure, 12-resident memory care neighborhood. The food our residents are served at Easthaven Villa is exceptional, and with specialties like Italian meatloaf and homemade snickerdoodle cookies, they look forward to every meal.


Drop in for a tour and a meal, and we'll answer all the questions you have. We know that choosing the right assisted living community is an important and sometimes difficult decision and we're here to help in any way we can.

Easthaven Villa Facebook Page

Youtube Page

You Are Not Alone - An Alzheimer's Function

If you are in the neighborhood on Monday, November 4, head over to the Pierce County Library to learn more about dementia and Alzheimer's Disease with Lon Cole, a published poet currently living with Alzheimer's.

The event is free to the public. More information is available on the flyer below:

For more information, visit the Facebook event page here: You Are Not Alone

Memory Boosting Superfoods That Fight Alzheimer’s

In order to get enough of these brain boosters, you’ll want to make sure your loved one stocks up on these foods:

Vegetables, especially leafy greens like spinach, kale and turnip greens and cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, have been strongly linked with lower levels of cognitive decline in older age, according to a study in the Annals of Neurology.

Salmon and other cold-water fish such as halibut, tuna, mackerel and sardines are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Other omega-3 sources include beans, some nuts, flax seeds and healthy oils like olive oil.

Berries and dark-skinned fruits are rich in antioxidants. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, some of the fruits that pack the most punch are blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, raspberries, plums, oranges, red grapes and cherries.

Coffee and chocolate are surprisingly good for you. Recent studies have shown that caffeine and coffee can be used as therapeutics against Alzheimer’s disease. The caffeine and antioxidants in these two tasty treats may help ward off age-related memory impairment, along with cinnamon, olive oil and curry.

Extra virgin olive oil contains a substance called oleocanthal that helps boost the production of key proteins and enzymes that help break down the amyloid plaques associated with Alzheimer’s disease.

Cold-pressed virgin coconut oil is a heart-healthy oil that is free of cholesterol and trans-fats, and boosts ketones. Coconut oil has been shown to improve the body’s use of insulin, increase HDL (good cholesterol), boost thyroid function and acting as an antioxidant and natural antibiotic.

• Chelsia Hart - Alzheimer's.net

Memory Care Takes Proactive Approach to Manage Aggressive Behavior

Memory Care Takes Proactive Approach to Manage Aggressive Behavior

Written by Alyssa Gerace for ALFA Update Senior living providers practice a variety of innovative techniques when managing aggressive behaviors that can be typical of residents with dementia, and they agree one of the biggest components is pro-activity. Know Your Residents This typically means knowing each resident and being familiar with their history and their patterns of behavior, says Janet Haynes, RN, director of clinical services at Endicott, N.Y.-based senior living and memory care management company Hearth Management. “It’s important to know the resident themselves; it’s basically a traffic light of their behavior,” she says. “What gives you the ‘green light’ to be able to provide services and care for them? What is something you see change [that can be] a ‘yellow light’ or cautious sign? Or is there a ‘red light’ (or danger) where residents start exhibiting different patterns of behavior?” At Silverado Senior Living, which exclusively operates memory care communities, each behavior is seen as a form of communication—including aggressive outbreaks.  “As professionals, it’s our job to try and understand [their] behavior and distinguish changes in it,” says Anne Ellett, NP, MSN, a senior clinical specialist with Silverado Senior Living. Silverado staff, from executive directors to kitchen workers to housecleaners to caregivers and nurses, meet together to compile a history on each resident’s behavior and fill out ‘behavior intervention worksheets.’ “What’s the pattern? What initiates it? What are the successful techniques for changing that behavior or altering it?” says Ellett as examples of how staff can understand what motivates certain behaviors. The challenge, says Haynes, is consistent staffing, to help ensure the more subtle signs that might occur each day are communicated through a reporting system that channels information from day staff to evening and overnight staff. That’s key at Silverado, as well, where an interdisciplinary approach is taken. Common Causes of Aggression and Treatments “We all try to contribute information. Our nurses are very active in looking for acute illnesses or sources of pain, because it’s common that the elderly in general might be having pain, whether it’s a chronic condition like arthritis or they’re starting to get an upper respiratory infection or urinary tract infection,” Ellett says. “Be proactive rather than reactive.” Often, what motivates an aggressive outbreak cannot be communicated by the resident, but sometimes it can be simple to address. “You’ve got to find the trigger and remove it. Let’s say there is music playing during the meal, and someone gets agitated during mealtime, which can be very overstimulating for residents,” says Haynes. “If you see agitation, start decreasing some of their stimulus.”  That can be accomplished by eliminating the music, or by staff making sure they’re not talking too much. But it can be a longer process than merely removing a trigger, says Haynes. Another strategy is for caregivers to redirect a resident’s attention through distraction. One common source of agitation among residents with dementia is the desire to ‘go home.’ While a typical response could be to say, ‘No, this is your home, you live here now,’ it’s better to counter the behavior by asking other questions, Haynes says, avoiding the use of ‘why’ in favor of ‘how, where, what, and who,’ as dementia patients aren’t able to reason their behavior. The conversation could be redirected by asking a resident, ‘Where is your home?’ to ‘What color is your house?’ to ‘Who lives with you? Do you have any pets?’ to guide the resident into past memories and distract them from their current agitation. “You can usually de-escalate their aggression and anger, and redirect the conversation into a different topic that will diffuse their behavior,” says Haynes. No "One Size Fits All" Solution A plan formulated by Silverado staff was able to resolve recurring agitation for one resident who didn’t want to be at the community. “Every time she started [displaying agitated behavior], we’d say, ‘We love you, Betty. You’re safe here, we’re so glad you’re here. We’re going to take good care of you.’ She started hearing that from everyone that walked by, and while she may not have comprehended all of that, she got the body language and the sense that she was safe and secure,” Ellett recalls. Other distraction techniques include knowing each resident’s “rewards” and being able to offer it to them, whether it’s a piece of chocolate or going for a walk.  Putting together, analyzing, and understanding each resident’s behavioral patterns to come up with an appropriate plan of action can be time consuming, but it’s worth it, says Haynes. “It sounds like a lot of work, but once you get to know the individual, it gets easier,” she says. “Once you figure out their triggers, then your success story starts: you can start programming around that resident’s mood and lift them out of it.”

San Juan Villa

This short video takes you on a mini tour of the beautiful San Juan Villa memory care community in Port Townsend, Washington! San Juan Villa emulates our commitment to loving, thoughtful care. Take a look!

If you are interested in learning more about San Juan Villa, you can take a look at their website and facebook page.

Getting to Know You: Marcus Shields

There are so many wonderful individuals who work at our various communities. We've decided to begin spotlighting these individuals with a "Getting to Know You" piece on our blog. 

Our guinea pig for this new spotlight is Marcus Shields, the new administrator at Hearthside Manor. 

Marcus with his family in Seattle.
(Left to right: Darla, Marcus, Turner, and Natalie)

Tell us a little about yourself -  

I was born and raised in Salt Lake City, UT and have recently moved to the Northwest.  I have been married for 5 years and have 2 children (1 boy and 1 girl), who are 3 and 10 months old.  I enjoy spending time with my family outdoors.  I like boating, skiing, and running.  I enjoy running and training for races.  The last race I ran was the St. George Marathon last fall.  I spent some volunteer time in Guatemala just after high school where I learned to love the Spanish culture and their language. 

What do you enjoy most about caring for senior residents?  

I love spending time with the residents and getting to know them and see what kind of experiences they had in their life. Everyone has an incredible story to tell and I seem to be amazed the more I learn about the residents here at Hearthside Manor.  The residents all come from such different backgrounds, cultures and have different experiences that has made them the person that they are today.  I feel grateful for the opportunity to get to know them better. 

You're new to Washington. What do you like about the area?  

I love how green everything is up here in the Washington.  It is a beautiful part of the country and I enjoy exploring on the weekends and going to see new places and areas all over the state. 

Tell us about Movember. When did you start participating?  

Movember is an annual, month long, event involving the growing of mustaches during the month of November to raise awareness of prostate cancer and other male cancer and associated charities.  The overall goal is to raise funds throughout the month and to change the face of men’s health.  This is happening on a worldwide basis every year throughout the entire month of November.  I have been participating with it for the last 3 years and will continue to do so in the future. 

Anything else you want to add?  

It is a pleasure to be working and living here in the wonderful state of Washington.  I am excited to explore more and get to know more about the state and what it has to offer. 

Link to Hearthside Manor's Facebook Page