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.

______________________________________________________________________________

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.

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.

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

You Are Someone I Love - By Mary Phillips

Mary Phillips is the Life Enrichment Coordinator at one of our Memory Care Communities. She works daily with our residents who suffer from Alzheimer’s and other forms of Dementia. She “knows” all about this terrible disease. This story, however, is written from her perspective as a daughter. What she discovers as she “sees” and “feels” the effects of this devastating disease is recorded in her story.

You are someone I love...

A Story Worth Reading - One Many of You Know

A shortened diary of a visit with my mom. This past month, I traveled “home” to visit my mom. It had been several months since I saw her last. But when I walked into her care home and saw her walking in the hall, it seemed just like yesterday, for a fleeting moment. She looked up as her sister and I entered and a huge smile spread across her face. 

“How wonderful to see you”, she said. “You just missed Pa. He came to visit me and we talked and talked. I don't know where Ma was, though, do you?” My Aunt and I

exchanged glances because “Pa” had been gone since the 1980's. It didn't matter, though, because she had obviously had a wonderful visit with her dad that day. She then turned to the aide and introduced us as her two sisters. That was on Monday. 

Tuesday, I arrived to see her still in bed at noon. She was drowsy and disoriented but sure was glad to see me, her mother. She let everyone know we were going out to lunch. And I do mean everyone. It warmed my heart to see the responses she solicited and all called

her by name. We went to lunch, returned to play a spirited game of Bingo, with my mom repeating each and every number for the caller, and then shared some ice cream sundaes with mom ending up wearing more than she ate. It took some doing to tuck her in that night, but she asked me dreamily to stay with her until she went to sleep. “I love you, mom,” I said. “Leave me alone” she answered. 

Wednesday, we were treated to a fabulous outing at Mom's favorite Italian restaurant. I decided it would be fun for mom to be seated next to the fountain. I didn't realize that every child in the place came to the fountain to make a wish by throwing in a penny. She soon had me and everyone else at the table digging in the bottoms of our purses for change to hand out – for the cost of a hug. Yes, my mom demanded and got hugs from each child in the restaurant. And her warmth carried over, because each table stopped to chat with mom as they entered or left. It was so joyous. That night, she fell asleep as soon as her head hit the

pillow.

Thursday was interesting. My aunt and four cousins joined us for a long lunch and then a visit at my aunt's home. At the restaurant, we laughed about old times, with mom contributing much to the reminiscing and conversation. When we got to the house, she quietly sat on the couch next to me. Every

five minutes or so, she had me introduce her to the ladies in the room, and then asked me my name. Reality, mine that is, hit me like an arrow to the heart. I had to go into the kitchen and shed a few tears, then go back in the living room and just continue to show my mom the love I had for her. When I took her back to the care home that evening, she was frightened and confused. What had I done wrong? Over

stimulization will do that, the aide said, as she helped me get her to bed. I left and sat in the car crying, ashamed of myself for not recognizing that.

On Friday, I kept it low key. We spent time in the solarium listening to music. Mom addressed EVERYONE with a cheery “hi” and EVERYONE responded to her by name. I didn't take mom out that day. Instead I followed her daily routine. It was a pleasant and sunny day, and my mom seemed content. She called me Susie all day, my sister's name. 

On Saturday, we knew we would have a tiring day for mom and us. Susie and I arrived to get mom ready for her granddaughter's wedding. Poor mom – she was tired before we even got there and slept during most of the wedding ceremony. We worried about the reception. We shouldn't have. Mom came alive as soon as the music started and danced, and danced, and danced with all her family. 

I would be leaving before dawn the next morning. It was difficult to say good night to mom, not knowing when I could come out again. I sat at her bedside stroking her hair and just watching her face. I realized she had not once called me by name all week. I asked her

quietly, “Mom, do you know who I am?” Just as quietly, she said “I know you are someone I love.” That was good enough.

by Mary Phillips

Life Enrichment Coordinator at Hawthorne House

Understanding Dementia

Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a number of conditions  that cause gradual loss of intellectual functioning. In other words, dementia is not a specific disease but a term that describes several symptoms associated with memory loss.
Alzheimer's disease accounts for 60-80% of dementia cases. 


Some of the statistics on alzheimer's disease may shock you. Here are some facts about Alzheimer's disease via alz.org:

Quick facts

• 5.4 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's disease.
• One in eight older Americans has Alzheimer's disease.
• Alzheimer's disease is the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States and the only cause of death among the top 10 in the United States that cannot be prevented, cured or even slowed.

The following is a short video from aboutalz.org that explains what Alzheimer's disease does to its victim.

Our Caring Places strive to maintain the leading edge and set the industry standard for specialized dementia care. We do this by keeping abreast of industry research and development, by providing continuing education, and by implementing a care approach which is focused on the individual. 

We view each day as a treasure hunt. Every one of our residents has treasures that have been buried by dementia, and our job is uncover them by getting to know who our residents are and were, and to understand their reality.