Dementia Care 101 Magazine

Dementia Care 101 Magazine

Cape May and Atlantic Counties’ Resource & Referral Guide for Caregivers

BROOKDALE Whatever we can do to help, we’ll do it with care.

At Brookdale, your loved one is a member of our family.

You’ll find our care is delivered with knowledge gained from serving families for generations. Join our community to discover how you or your family member will feel right at home.

For more information, call (609) 463-6344.

Brookdale Cape May

Assisted Living Alzheimer's & Dementia Care 591 RT 9 South Cape May Court House, NJ 08210 24150

©2016 Brookdale Senior Living, Inc. All rights reserved. BROOKDALE SENIOR LIVING and BRINGING NEW LIFE TO SENIOR LIVING are the registered trademarks of Brookdale Senior Living, Inc.

Bringing New Life to Senior Living™

brookdale.com

Fall 2018

Dementia Care 101 Newsmagazine

Art Exhibit – CARING For Caregivers is a program designed to provide caregivers with free respite, support groups and Memories In The Making. Funding for the program is provided through a grant from Atlantic County, utilizing Older Americans Act funds. Over 40 people diagnosed with dementia participate in Memories In The Making (located at 419 W. Deliliah Road in Pleasantville). This first annual art exhibit will be held Saturday, October 6th, from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. at The Leadership Studio, 161 S. Tennessee Avenue, Atlantic City. Admission and parking are free. For more information call Maria Garcia at 609-848-7050, ext. 215.

Philadelphia Marathon – The race is on…The Philadelphia Marathon, November 17-18, running for the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration.

World FTD Awareness Week – will be held on September 23rd with a week of events, activism and international engagement, spreading awareness of this disease. www.theaftd.org

Activities for a person with dementia may be their regular activities, but modified to their abilities. These can reduce behaviors like wandering and agitation, and give your loved one a sense of accomplishment and pride. Withdrawal from activities is common in the early stages of dementia, but keep engaging, discussing, and making adjustments. Keep the person’s skills and abilities in mind. A person with dementia may be able to play simple songs learned on the piano years ago. Bring these types of skills into daily activities. What does the person enjoy? Introduce those activities slowly, and take note to what works and what doesn’t.

• Small jobs such as setting the table, folding laundry, sweeping the floor or washing the dishes are daily activities that can be completed.

(Maybe not always to your liking, but they can make your loved one feel good about themselves.)

• Focus on enjoyment, not achievement!

• Find activities that build on remaining skills and talents.

• Encourage involvement in daily life.

• Feeling valued and needed is important.

• Stress a sense of purpose!

• Don’t criticize or correct, but rather encourage and praise!

• Encourage self expression, through art, music or conversation.

• Substitute an activity with a behavior, a swiping hand, put a towel in it!

• Try again later!, but keep on trying!

• Relate and incorporate past work life. An office worker might want to organize papers.

• Look for favorites!

• Adjust activities to disease stages.

• Help get the activity started, show, share and do!

• Offer support and supervision.

• Concentrate on the process not the result.

• Be flexible.

• Encourage movement! Music and art makes people move!

• Music makes us clap, snap, sing and dance!

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Dementia Care 101 Newsmagazine

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Dementia Care 101 MAGAZINE

Dementia Care 101 Magazine is published quarterly. The contents of this publication are Copyright © 2018, Dementia Care 101 Magazine. Neither the advertisers, the publisher, nor any authors or columnists will be responsible or liable for misinformation, misprints or typographical errors, etc. in this or any issue. Letters to the editor may be edited. We will not knowingly publish articles or advertisements which are fraudulent or misleading, or which, in the sole judgement of the publisher, are contrary to Dementia Care 101 Magazine’s interest.

The purpose of this publication is to provide patients and caregivers with much needed information, referrals and local resources. There’s practical advice for quality care and new ways to give caregivers support for people living with dementia.

Whether you’re managing a long-term facility, providing home health services or working in a hospital, private home or hospice, this publication will help you provide the compassionate and comprehensive care people living with dementia and their families need.

Dementia Care 101 is essential for RNs, CNAs, wives, husbands, family members and friends involved with dementia care, providing information and insight they need in order to give the highest quality care to their loved ones with dementia.

Dementia Care 101 Magazine is distributed locally in Cape May and Atlantic Counties to hospitals, Urgent Cares, libraries, community recreation centers, county offices, support groups, diners, advertisers and other select locations.

The publication is for general guidance only and is not intended to address the circumstances of any particular individual or entity. Information and documents in this publication are for information purposes only and do not constitute medical advice and are not a substitute for the advice of a licensed medical professional. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we and our contributors do not accept liability of any direct, indirect, or special consequential or other losses or damages of whatsoever kind arising from any action or inaction of the reader.

[Publisher Christine Marie Meehan is an Educator and Patient Care Coordinator, business owner, caregiver and mother.]

Dementia Care 101 Magazine 305 N. Third Street, Rio Grande, NJ 08242

(609) 741-7307 Email: dementiacare101mag@gmail.com Editor and Publisher Christine Marie Meehan Graphic Design and Production Dan Keen and Meghan Meehan Copy Editors Rhonda Keen and Meghan Meehan Distribution Ryan Meehan

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Cover Photo:

Joseph Meehan Sr. (recently passed with Lewy Bodies Dementia) and his Son, Joseph Meehan Jr. (diagnosed with Fronto temporal Dementia, non-related dementias).

Agencies used along with the many caregivers from these local companies and organizations are: Caring for Kindness in-home care agency, Senior Helpers in-home care agency, Right at Home in-home care agency, Compassionate Care Hospice, Care 2 Caregivers phone support, South Jersey Geriatric Care Caregiver Support Program, Vet’s assist, the staff at the Adult Active Day Senior Care Center, and the many staff members at Absecon Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Facility and at Victorian Manor.

This support team was paramount with the care of our husbands. We are so grateful and thankful for everything they have done and continue to do for those suffering with dementia.

Mary, Joe Sr. and Joe Jr. and I couldn’t have been the caregivers we were, and still are today, without all of you. Many thanks! ~Christine Meehan

From The Publisher’s Desk In the past six years, my life has changed completely. Just as my husband’s dementia has evolved and morphed him into a person I don’t seem to recognize, I have changed alongside him. I had to be strong, smart and resourceful, in order to manage being a caregiver to someone so young, and to navigate uncharted waters with little information. My husband’s doctor watched as I searched, fought and conquered my new caregiving role. He gave me a position as a patient care coordinator for his new dementia center, so I could use my talents and experience to make a difference to others in need. Working for him, my job was to link dementia patients and their caregivers to community-based agencies, medical and mental health care providers and other local resources in Cape May and Atlantic Counties. I am now continuing that work with Dementia Care 101 Magazine.

I know from experience that care planning is crucial, and I’d like to provide a map for you and your loved ones to help you navigate this unfamiliar journey. This magazine will be a resource for dementia care coordination, strategies, education and support. In each issue we will offer great articles, as well as directories, guides and tips.

We’ll suggest some great dementia- and care-related books in the Book Nook, hear from professionals in the field of mental health and learn about many aspects of dementia care.

My goal for Dementia Care 101 Magazine is to enable people who have dementia to live safely and with dignity in our community, maximizing their quality of life as best we can while also lightening the load of families, caregivers and healthcare workers. It’s important for us to ensure the future care of our elder community together, because we can’t do this challenging job alone!

In closing, I want to thank my husband Joe, his doctor David Roeltgen for believing in me, my children Meghan and Ryan for encouraging and supporting me and the many kind people in my community who are helping me, such as Rhonda and Dan Keen. If it wasn’t for all of you, this dream wouldn’t have come true. I am so thankful and blessed. ~ Patience, peace and memorial moments. Christine

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Dementia Care 101 Newsmagazine

New Jersey Helps Caregivers Under the Personal Preference Program (PPP), family members can be hired as paid personal care providers.

Recognizing the needs and preferences of many of the state’s seniors, New Jersey’s Medicaid program offers the Personal Preference Program (PPP). The PPP provides financial assistance to elderly and disabled Medicaid-qualified residents to help them live independently and manage their activities of daily living.

Based on the “Cash and Counseling” model, the program distributes to participants a budget that would otherwise be spent on services for them. Participants have the power to select their own care providers. Program participants can hire friends and family members, so relatives can be paid to be caregivers (if they are at least 18 years old).

This program and the category of programs are referred to by many different names. The Personal Preference Program is also referred to as Personal Care Assistance (PCA) services. Cash and Counseling programs, in general, are also known as consumer direction, self-direction and participant-direction.

Cash and Counseling programs are a win-win for consumers and state governments. Participants report higher satisfaction and the state experiences cost savings.

Eligibility Guidelines And Functional Needs – Program candidates must have a need for assistance with their activities of daily living, such as bathing, toileting and eating, as determined by a healthcare professional. Their needs, however, cannot be so severe that full-time nursing home level care is required.

Financial Need – Candidates must be financially eligible for NJ Medicaid (FamilyCare). These requirements vary depending on one’s marital status and whether one’s spouse is also applying.

Individuals Applying For Medicaid – In 2018, seniors can have up to $2,250 in monthly income ($27,000 annually). Persons over that limit may still qualify if they have excessively high medical expenses.

New Jersey also allows applicants who are over the gross month income limit to use a special type of account to ensure that they spend their excess income on medically-necessary goods or services. Individual applicants can have countable assets valued at $2,000, which does not include the value of their home.

Couples Applying For Medicaid – Married couples applying can have $3,000 in countable assets. Their home and vehicle are noncountable assets and don’t count towards the $3,000 limit. Couples whose home equity is valued at more than $858,000, however, are not considered exempt.

Couples With One Spouse Applying – Persons in this situation have considerably more flexibility when seeking Medicaid. The non-applicant spouse can have up to $123,600 in resources. Joint income, up to a certain level, can be allocated to the non-applicant to provide them with sufficient financial resources on which to live. This calculation includes accounting for local housing costs. Shifting joint income can also lower the applicant’s income to the acceptable limit.

Individuals or couples who exceed these limits may still be able to receive benefits. Qualified income trusts and Medicaid-compliant annuities are complicated tools, but can help. Professional financial planners can help to re-structure income and property so that needy families can comply with the eligibility rules. Learn more about how they could help your family.

Benefits And Services – One of the best things about the Personal Preference Program is that participants have a great deal of flexibility on how to spend the funds given to them for their care.

They divide the types of expenditures into three categories that are considered eligible.

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1) Personal Assistance Services – a hired individual that assists the program participant in managine their activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living such as bathing, grooming, meal preparation, eating, mobility, housekeeping, shopping and laundry.

2) Assistive Technology – appliances, devices and controls that increase the individual’s ability to live independently, such as remote controls, specially-designed cooking equipment and motion-sensitive lighting.

3) Home Modifications – changes to one’s home to accommodate for physical challenges, such as stair glides, handicap ramps, walk-in tubs, grip bars for the bathroom, and doorway alterations to accommodate for wheelchairs.

How To Apply – The program is managed by the New Jersey Division of Disability Services. To learn more or begin the application process, call their toll-free number at 1-888-285-3036.

Nutrition Tips for the Dementia Patient Dementia patients often have issues recognizing the feeling of hunger. Their senses of smell and taste, as well as their ability to swallow, can be impaired. Even the simplest meal or snack can become a challenge. If necessary, a registered dietitian can help address eating problems and modify diets in order to meet a patient’s nutritional needs. Here, dietitian Michelle Ferrero, R. D. from Fat to Dietitian to Fit, Cape May Court House, NJ (609-536-9295) gives us some nutrition tips.

• The taste buds of a dementia patient are limited. Sweetness is the last taste to go.

• It is important to listen to the patient’s wishes and to respect their food choices.

• As the disease advances, they may require more assistance with feeding.

• Their environment makes a big difference in how well they will eat.

Make sure meals take place in quiet areas with limited distractions.

• Offer small portions on smaller plates, to make eating less overwhelming.

• Meat may be hard for the patient to chew. Nutritional supplements are useful, but be sure to consider alternate forms of protein, such as yogurt, beans, cottage cheese and milk.

• Please do not try to force feed. This may only cause nausea, constipation, bloating or diarrhea. It is also distressing to the patient.

• They may eat more if they are offered their favorite foods, sweets, foods with a smooth texture or something that is easily digestible.

Variety is not as important to a dementia patient.

• Signs of difficulty chewing or swallowing include: pocketing food in cheeks, extended chewing time, coughing, refusing certain foods or feeling pain when swallowing.

• To make it easier to provide medication, try adding it to applesauce, pudding or yogurt. Some medicines may be crushable.

• To more easily provide extra calories, add condensed milk or margarine to oatmeal or mashed potatoes.

Think Positive! Take a few minutes to reflect on the good things in life. Taking stock of what you have can instantly improve your mood and outlook.

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Dementia Care 101 Newsmagazine

Alzheimer’s Association’s Delaware Valley Chapter Right In Your Backyard

By Mary Beth Lewis Our community is fortunate to have an Alzheimer’s chapter, serving Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland counties. The office is located in Northfield, and is staffed by Mary Beth Lewis, a lifetime resident of Atlantic County who recently cared for her mother, who lived with Alzheimer’s disease for 11 years. The chapter provides many services for people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias, their families and caregivers.

They offer in-person support groups for caregivers and individuals living with Alzheimer’s. All support groups are facilitated by trained individuals. To find support groups in your area, please call the 24/7 Helpline at (800) 272-3900.

Care consultations with licensed social workers are available to help individuals understand dementia, assess needs, and to help plan and problem-solve regarding what to do and how to get help.

The Alzheimer’s Association staff and volunteers advocate at state and federal levels to improve the quality of care for individuals with Alzheimer’s and their families.

TrialMatch® is a free, easy-to-use clinical studies matching service that generates customized lists of studies based on user-provided information. You can easily see what studies you may qualify for.

Their continually-updated database contains more than 250 studies, including both pharmacological (drug) and non-pharmacological (non-drug) studies being conducted at sites across the country and online.

The Alzheimer’s Association 24/7 Toll-Free Helpline (800-2723900) provides emotional support and coping strategies, information and community resources, Alzheimer’s research updates and access to all programs and services. The Helpline has translation services for more than 160 languages. Calls are answered by highly-trained and knowledgeable staff that can help with understanding memory loss, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, medications and other treatment options, general information about aging and brain health, skills to provide quality care and where to find the best care from professionals as well as legal, financial and living-arrangement decisions.

The Helpline is an especially important resource for family caregivers. A majority of individuals with Alzheimer’s are cared for at home. In fact in 2018, 16.1 million caregivers provided an estimated 18.4 billion hours of unpaid care, valued at more than $232 billion.

In some cases these individuals are the sole caregivers, and have no one to turn to for support. A lack of social support in caring for an individual with dementia can result in increased stress and frustration for caregivers. The Alzheimer’s Association understands, and they encourage caregivers to share their experiences with a Care Consultant to help reduce feelings of social isolation, depression, anxiety and interpersonal strain.

The Helpline is not only for family and professional caregivers, but also for those who have a dementia diagnosis or who are simply concerned about themselves or someone they love. Helpline Specialists and Care Consultants have a great deal of knowledge about

Fall 2018

Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, and in addition to providing emotional support, can talk about coping strategies as well as community and chapter resources.

[Mary Beth Lewis can be reached at the Alzheimer’s Association Delaware Valley Chapter, South Jersey Office, 25 Dolphin Avenue, Building D., Northfield, NJ 08225, (215) 561-2919 extension 8962, mblewis@alz.org. Helpline (800) 272-3900.]

Accepting A Diagnosis And Accepting Change In Our Lives

By Laurie A. Scherrer ~ dementiadaze.com I don’t want to just survive – I want to thrive!

Like the waves hitting the beach, life is constantly changing, and we are constantly changing with it. Change is an inevitable part of life. We develop, we age, we laugh, we cry, we dislike, we love and as our lives transform, we either try to deny or resist the change, take action to modify the change and/or we embrace the transformation and work with (or through) it.

Although there are many things in our lives we can take control of, not all changes can be modified. Not all changes are welcome. There will always be people, circumstances, occurrences and events that we don’t like and don’t want to invade our perfect world.

For my husband Roy and I, the major changes came in the form of illness. For me, it was a diagnosis of Early-onset Alzheimer’s and Frontal-temporal Degeneration. For Roy, it was a diagnosis of Common Variable Immune Deficiency. Both are life-altering medical conditions that have, and will continue to have an impact on our plans, dreams and daily activities.

Throughout my life I have always believed in the power of a positive attitude and grasping each challenge as an opportunity. My house, office and car were a collection of positive affirmations like, “If I think I can or can’t – I’m absolutely right”, “If it’s to be, it’s up to me”, “I have a choice – I can let my mind shape me or I can shape my mind”, and many more. Mahatma Gandhi’s famous quote outlines how beliefs shape destiny: “Your beliefs become your thoughts. Your thoughts become your words. Your words become your actions. Your actions become your habits. Your habits become Your values. Your values become your destiny.”

Although positive thinking is not always easy, staying in the habit helped me to accept and often excel through some of my more difficult challenges. When I was diagnosed with dementia, however, I found myself drifting away from a positive attitude. I felt that I couldn’t change things and it wasn’t up to me, and I had NO choice. I felt my little engine (that once could) had no control to make it up this hill of life. I was becoming sad and depressed.

After my self-inflicted pity party, I realized that I needed to accept my diagnosis and the changes it would bring, and make the best of whatever time I could. I found that the stress and worry of denial and non-acceptance was draining what energy I did have.

“Accept what you cannot change. Change what you cannot accept”. After a period of grief, anger and denial, I began to seek my old self. I found that once I accepted the changes my life was going to take, I began to appreciate the joy and beauty around me. As my stress lessened, my confusion lessened and my energy level increased. The more I embraced the change with a positive attitude, the more Roy

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Dementia Care 101 Newsmagazine

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Sharing...Caring...Helping. and I were able to discover ways to reduce the amount of â&#x20AC;&#x153;dementia dazeâ&#x20AC;? (the state of confusion and disorientation) and the more I was able to feel joy again.

To me, embracing change means accepting that it is inescapable, and with a positive disposition determining how to make the best of it. Together, Roy and I are learning to embrace our challenges and modify our objectives and our life style. We are finding some of the things that trigger confusion, and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re figuring out ways to overcome the hurdles that prevented me from enjoying life. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;tâ&#x20AC;? has become â&#x20AC;&#x153;How CAN Iâ&#x20AC;?.

Yes, I still have challenges and days of confusion, disorientation, fear and emotions, however, most of my days are full of purpose and love. While embracing the challenges of change, we are also embracing every moment with joy.

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not how much we do, but how much love we put in the doing. It is not how much we give, but how much love we put in the giving.

--Mother Teresa

),5 5 , 5#(7")' 5 )(-/&. .#)( *& - 5 )(. .5/-5 . lfo7hjg7fnoo 1118.)/ "#(!" ,.-8 )'I-)/."$ ,- 3 Support For Vets And Caregivers

Are you a veteran or a caregiver? There can be around-the-clock responsibilities. The VA is here to support you! The VAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Caregiver Support Program offers a range of online courses, face-to-face classes, telephone support and peer mentoring to caregivers of veterans from all eras. Learn more by visiting their website www.caregiver.va.gov.

With the VAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Caregiver Support Line, assistance is just a quick phone call away. Whether youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re in need of immediate assistance or have questions about what services you may be eligible for, the caring licensed professionals who answer the support line can: â&#x20AC;˘ Tell you about the assistance available from VA. â&#x20AC;˘ Help you access services. â&#x20AC;˘ Connect you with the Caregiver Support Coordinator at a VA Medical Center near you. â&#x20AC;˘ Just listen, if thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what you need right now.

Locally, you can also contact David Mullen, Veterans Outreach Program Specialist, 6601 Ventnor Avenue, Suite 105, Ventnor, NJ. Call 609-487-8387 or 1800-461-8262 x 2870.

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Dementia Care 101 Newsmagazine

Fall 2018

Report Reveals Growing Burden of Alzheimer’s

By Karen Knight The inclusion of Alzheimer’s disease in Healthy People 2020 – the nation’s health prevention and promotion goals for the next decade – confirms that Alzheimer’s is a pivotal public health issue, requiring bold action before the crisis worsens.

New findings from the Alzheimer’s Association 2018 Alzheimer’s Disease Fact and Figures report indicate the growing burden of Alzheimer’s on people living with the disease, their families and caregivers, as well as society at large. The number of older Americans is growing rapidly, as is the number of people living with Alzheimer’s.

By 2050, the total cost of care for Alzheimer’s is projected to increase to more than $1.1 trillion.

That’s why, according to Krista McKay, director of programs and services, Delaware Valley Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, the goal of the Alzheimer’s Association is to work on a global, national and local level to provide care and support for all those affected by Alzheimer’s and other dementias, ensuring that everyone has acess to a timely and accurate diagnosis, and that communities become dementia-friendly.

“This requires a cultural shift,” she noted, “by looking at the disease differently and figuring out how to reduce the stigma of Alzheimer’s in our communities.”

According to the report, fewer than half of all people who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, or their caregivers, are aware of the diagnosis. The Facts and Figures Report provides an indepth look at the latest national and state statistics and information on prevalence, incidence, mortality, costs of care and caregiving.

An estimated 5.7 million Americans of all ages are living with Alzheimer’s dementia in 2018, 180,000 in New Jersey, according to the report. About 85,000 South Jerseyans are affected by the disease or a related disorder, including 8,670 Cape May County residents and 11,477 Atlantic County residents. The Alzheimer’s Association notes that every 65 seconds, someone in the U.S. develops the disease.

McKay’s organization provides a 24/7 help line (1-800-272-3900), which offers information and advice to more than 300,000 callers each year, and provides translation services in more than 200 languages.

“Highly trained and knowledgeable staff can help with services, identifying community resources based on zip codes, as well as customized care consultations by master’s level clinicians,” she said.

“The biggest hurdle for some is overcoming the fear of a diagnosis.”

Early diagnosis can help on multiple levels, McKay noted. The community and businesses, for example, can be informed about the warning signs to look for, while interacting with individuals or customers.

“A benefit of early diagnosis is that individuals and caregivers can plan personally and financially for the disease as it progresses,” McKay said. “It’s an expensive disease, but we need to take away the stigma. We are on the way to detecting the disease earlier, before devastating symptoms begin. Experts believe that biomarkers offer one of the most promising paths. That’s why research is so important.”

Given the long duration of the disease, the strain on Alzheimer’s caregivers can last several years and result in serious declines in the caregiver’s physical, emotional and financial well-being. In 2017, 16

million Americans provided an estimated 18.4 billion hours of unpaid care in the form of physical, emotional and financial support, a contribution to the nation valued at $232.1 billion. The difficulties associated with providing this level of care are estimated to have resulted in $11.4 billion in additional healthcare costs for Alzheimer’s and other dementia caregivers in 2017.

For the second consecutive year, total payments to care for individuals living with Alzheimer’s or other dementias will surpass a quarter of a trillion dollars, which includes an increase of nearly $20 billion from last year, according to the Facts and Figures Report.

Mortality from Alzheimer’s disease continues to rise. While deaths from other major causes continue to decrease, new data from the report shows that deaths from Alzheimer’s disease have more than doubled, increasing 123 percent between 2000-2015. For context, the number of deaths from heart disease, the No. 1 killer in America, decreased 11 percent.

Alzheimer’s deaths have more than doubled in the last 15 years, and it is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States overall, and the fifth leading cause of death for those aged 65 and older.

As the population of the U.S. ages, Alzheimer’s is becoming a more common cause of death, and it is the only top 10 cause of death that can’t be prevented, cured or even slowed.

“If there is no cure and we continue to have increasing numbers,” McKay said, “there simply won’t be enough resources. Compared with caregivers of people without dementia, twice as many caregivers of those with dementia indicate substantial emotional, financial and physical difficulties.

“This is why Alzheimer’s has become a health priority, and we must ensure everyone has access to early diagnosis across all levels of our health system,” she added.

In 2013, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Alzheimer’s Association released The Healthy Brain Initiative: The Public Health Road Map for State and National Partnerships, 2013-2018 to advance cognitive health as a vital, integral component of public health. The Road Map identifies 35 specific action items that public health agencies can undertake to promote cognitive functioning, address cognitive impairment, and help meet the needs of caregivers.

Early detection and diagnosis, and knowing of the diagnosis, are essential to ensuring the best medical care and outcomes for those affected by the disease. Healthy People 2020 has set the goal of increasing the percentage of individuals with the disease or their caregivers

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Dementia Care 101 Newsmagazine

who are aware of the diagnosis.

“Our current medical system is under prepared,” McKay added.

“Until we find a cure or a disease-modifying drug, we must shift to early detection and preventative measures with healthy brain habits.”

To download the Facts and Figures Report and find out more about the local Delaware Valley Chapter, visit www.alz.org/delval/.

2018 ALZHEIMER’S FACTS & FIGURES Alzheimer’s is the 6th leading cause of death in the U.S. 16.1 million Americans provide unpaid care for people with Alzheimer’s or other dementias.

Caregivers provided an estimated 18.4 billion hours of care valued at over $232 billion.

Between 2000 and 2015, deaths from heart disease decreased 11%, while deaths for Alzheimer’s increased 123%.

1 in 3 seniors dies with Alzheimer’s or another dementia, killing more than breast cancer and prostate cancer COMBINED! Early diagnosis could save up to $7.9 trillion in medical and care costs.

In 2018, Alzheimer’s and other dementias will cost the nation $277 billion. By 2050, these costs could rise as high as $1.1 trillion.

5.7 millions Americans are living with Alzheimer’s. By 2050, this number is projected to rise to nearly 14 million.

Every 65 seconds someone in the United States develops the disease.

With new cases of dementia diagnosed at the rate of roughly one a minute, the need for well-trained caregivers has never been greater.

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DISCOVER THE POSITIVE APPROACH TO ALZHEIMER’S AND DEMENTIA

Senior Helpers focuses on what your loved one can do instead of what they cannot do.

Call today to learn more: 609.927.5001 www.seniorhelpers.com/jerseyshore All rights reserved. Senior Helpers locations are independently owned and operated. ©2018 SH Franchising, LLC.

November 13th – Caregiver Appreciation Day Caregiver Appreciation Day. November is National Caregiver Appreciation Month, and November 13th is a very important day of recognition for the tens of millions of Americans, who selflessly give their time to care for those who are ill, disabled or elderly.

This day of recognition is for both paid and unpaid caregivers.

We believe unpaid caregivers deserve even more special recognition.

They silently go about the task of supporting someone in need, most often a family member. They give their time freely, and often spend their own money in doing so. It can be a thankless task, without even a big thanks from the person being cared for, or other relatives who find countless reasons not to help.

Some interesting statistics: • 29% of the U.S. population, some 65 million Americans, are caregivers in some way.

• According to the U.S. Department of Labor, over 40 million Americans, age 15 or older, provide unpaid care to the elderly alone.

How to Celebrate Caregiver Appreciation Day Caregivers care because it needs to be done, and it is the right thing to do! So, we want you to know you are loved!

What Makes A Caregiver’s Day Give a simple “thank you” to everyone you know who is a caregiver in any capacity! Send a thank you card by mail or email. Pick or send flowers to brighten up their day. Schedule them for a day off (take over the role of caring). Make a pre-made meal or give a gift card to a restaurant, along with thoughtful words of support. Make arrangements for a housekeeper to help with the household duties. Give the gift of massage. Plan to have someone offer to sit with the patient so the caregiver might have a break to rest, take a walk, exercise or enjoy time with other family members.

It would make a caregiver’s day if a friend offers to take them to a movie, if someone brings their DVDs of personal favorites, if someone offers to handle chores (yard work, tire rotation, dog walking/grooming), or if the caregiver receives an email with a silly joke, gets a gift membership to a spa, nail/hair salon or gym for month or so, or receives donations to cover medical expenses or lost wages.

Perhaps the most important is for someone to remind them that they are loved and cared about.

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Dementia Care 101 Newsmagazine

Book Nook Some Good Reads

“When Your Parent Becomes Your Child” by Ken Abram At first, Ken Abraham wrote off his mother’s changes in behavior as quirks that just come with old age. There was memory loss, physical decline, hygiene issues, paranoia and uncharacteristic attitudes. He soon realized that dementia had changed her life – and his familiy’s – forever. How is it possible to lose a loved one while he or she is still living, still sitting right in front of you, talking with you, smiling at you, and yet the person you have known and loved for years is somehow gone?”

“Inside Alzheimer’s” by Nancy Pearce Inside Alzheimer’s is a guide to making the most of the briefest moments by filling them with substance. Learn how to put aside expectations and meaningfully hear, connect and communicate with those we love, regardless of how advanced the dementia. Experience a richer relationship and a more natural engagement. A must-read for family members, friends and caregivers.

Dementia; Living In The Memories Of God by John Swinton This book looks at the Christian theology of dementia. John Swinton is the Professor of Practical Theology and Pastoral Care at the University of Aberdeen, and is a former psychiatric nurse and hospital chaplain. Swinton articulates a theological reading which, while acknowledging the pain and loss of advanced dementia, provides hope and fresh possibilities, even when memory has failed. It also enables us to respond to those living with dementia in a positive and affirming way.

“The 36-hour Day” by Nancy Mace and Peter Rabins The 36-hour Day has been an essential resource for families who love and care for people with Alzheimer’s disease. Whether a person has Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, he or she will face a host of problems. The 36-Hour Day will help family members and caregivers address these challenges, and simultaneously cope with their own emotions and needs.

Hope for when your heart breaks by Michael Neuman Grieving occurs in many situations in life. Grief is usually associated with death, but it can occur after any loss: divorce, layoffs, the end of a friendship. In this book, author Michael Newman writes 52 short devotion-style chapters that focus on different forms of grief.

The book can be read cover to cover, or readers can flip to a chapter that will help them most in their season of life. The focus of each chapter is the presence of God in the midst of grief, and the comfort and hope that can be found in that knowledge.

60 Day Devotion For Alzheimer’s And Other Related Dementia Caregivers: Grace For The Unexpected Journey by Debora Barr If you are a caregiver to someone with Alzheimer’s or another type of dementia, you carry a heavy load. On top of having to watch someone you love suffer, you are probably losing sleep, growing frustrated, and struggling with loneliness or even depression. With little to no help and no time for a break, this unrelenting stress is hard to carry.

Whether that’s you or someone you know, the caregiver needs care, too. Grace for the Unexpected Journey: A 60-Day Devotional for Alzheimer’s and Other Dementia Caregivers provides that support.

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Each daily devotion: • Is short; ideal for demanding schedules • Reflects on a relevant Scripture passage • Features a relatable caregiving story • Offers a key Scripture for meditation

Expecting Behavioral Changes Just like the change in seasons, you will notice some changes in behavior and personality when it comes to cognitive impairments and dementia.

This means that a generally active, involved person could become apathetic and disinterested.

The opposite may also occur.

A usually quiet individual may become more outgoing, boisterous and disinhibited. Personality changes can also involve increased agitation, irritability, anger, sadness and even verbal or physical outbursts toward others (usually the caregiver).

Not all patients will adopt one or another symptom. Symptoms don’t occur in stages, but rather existing symptoms will worsen, and new symptoms may appear in an unpredictable manner.

Remind yourself that these are not the behaviors of the person you love. These behaviors are the result of an illness. Don’t take it personally, and don’t argue or try to reason. Be calm and use a reassuring tone. Be positive and patient.

Some typical behaviors include apathy and lack of motivation or drive, confusion, depression, repetitive activities, impulsive behaviors, lack of insight, lack of empathy and/or a lack of sympathy or compassion.

Utilization behavior can include automatic behaviors and/or difficulty resisting impulses to operate or manipulate objects.

Hyperorality can include compulsive eating or craving certain foods. Ritualistic and compulsive behavior can include aggression and frustration, depression, frequent weeping, verbal and/or physical aggression and/or not able to reason or understand clearly.

When changes occur also realize that the patient may find it difficult to articulate such things as pain or discomfort, resulting in agitation or irritability. Address your concerns with your doctor.

With all new changes in behaviors that you observe, consider: 1. Could this be a separate medical problem (such as a toothache or muscle pain or sores, or a chemical imbalance due to medication changes)?

2. Is the environment triggering the behavior (bright lights, lots of people, etc.)?

3. Is this behavior safe for them, you or others?

4. Should medication be used? Consult with your physician.

AARP’s Brain Health Fund is investing $60 million in the Dementia Discovery Fund, which invests in research and development of break-though treatments for dementia.

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Dementia Care 101 Newsmagazine

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Advocating For Your Loved One It is difficult to watch our loved ones age, and to be a liaison between them and their health care providers. It’s a hefty responsibility. Here are some tips for navigating the health care system and communicating with doctors, specialists, therapists and health aides on a loved one’s behalf. This can help you ensure that they’re getting the best care and attention.

1. Ask questions. It is every health care provider’s job, as well as moral responsibility, to make sure your loved ones’ and their care partners’questions are answered. Maintain a written list of collected questions or concerns, and take it with you to appointments. Bring a pen and paper to jot down notes. Ask as many questions as you need to. If you don’t understand something, ask the health care provider to explain it in a different way.

2. Gather all medical information. Keep a notebook or journal with files to bring along each doctor’s visit for the following information: • A list of chronic conditions that your loved one is being treated for.

• A list of their past hospital stays and surgeries, what they were for, and the approximate dates.

• As much family history as possible about chronic illnesses or other concerns. Even if you’re not sure about your family history, it’s important to share what you know. For example, sharing that you think a grandparent may have died of complications related to diabetes is helpful to your provider.

• A detailed list of all the medications, including the dosage, frequency, and the reason they take it. Write down all prescription medications and over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, nutraceuticals and dietary supplements. If your loved one is receiving medication elsewhere, such as an infusion center for

chemotherapy, make sure that is on the list as well.

• A list of health care providers and the reason they see them. Make sure you include their contact information.

• A list of all pharmacies your loved one uses, including contact information.

• A copy, with access to the original, of all legal forms. This includes advance directives, living wills, durable powers of attorney, do not resuscitate orders and physician orders for life-sustaining treatment forms.

• A copy of all Medicare and private health insurance information.

3. Keep a list of financial information. Maintain a list of the financial institutions your loved ones use. Include their account information in case you need to access funds for their care. Keep this in a secure location, separate from their medical information.

4. Identify one family member to be the main health care liaison. It is helpful and cuts down on miscommunication when one care partner can attend all health care visits. Keeping all the doctor’s appointments straight along with medications can be a daunting task.

5. Hire a professional. Many hospitals have patient advocates or patient care coordinators who can help resolve almost any kind of problem, from difficulties with care to problems with billing. Health insurance companies also offer case managers who can help you navigate insurance issues and answer disease management questions. Finally, there are private companies for seniors or people with disabilities that can help with daily activities or chronic disease care.

Help is only a web search and call away.

6. Be persistent. Be sure you get the quality care you deserve.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions until they get answered!

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Dementia Care 101 Newsmagazine

What Is The Difference Between Dementia And Alzheimer’s?

By Dr. David Roeltgen, MD Neurologist One question I am frequently asked is, “What is the difference between dementia and Alzheimer’s disease?” On one level, the answer to this question is relatively easy and straightforward. Compare the definitions of dementia and Alzheimer’s.

Dementia: Dementia is an impairment of thinking and memory that interferes with a person’s ability to do things which he or she previously was able to do.

Alzheimer’s: Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia in older people. Because it is the most common cause of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease is commonly equated with the general term dementia. However, there are many other causes of dementia, and the abnormalities of Alzheimer’s disease can be present in the brain in someone who does not have dementia.

Distinguishing Alzheimer’s dementia from other causes of dementia is not always as easy and straightforward as defining these terms. In practice, people and their disorders of behavior are far more complex than simple definitions sometimes commonly imply.

Alzheimer’s: Microscopic Brain Abnormalities Alzheimer’s disease is a specific form of dementia, having very specific microscopic brain abnormalities. However, in typical medical practice, we do not have the ability to see microscopic brain abnormalities.

History and Examination for Alzheimer’s Distinguishing Alzheimer’s dementia from other forms of dementia requires a doctor to establish certain background information (the history) and define a patient’s abilities (the examination), and then perhaps obtain results from certain tests.

The last step is guided by the results from the first two. Alzheimer’s disease is typically a slowly progressive disorder that involves memory for recent information (short-term memory) and one or more other abilities, such as speech and language, personality, decisionmaking and judgment or awareness and ability to interact with the environment.

A doctor attempting to distinguish Alzheimer’s disease from another cause of dementia asks questions about these abilities and examines them as well. Additionally, the doctor also asks questions about and examines abilities that are typically not impaired in a patient with Alzheimer’s disease. These abilities include, among others, memory for information of long ago (long-term memory), vision, ability to feel things and muscle strength. In doing these things, the doctor is attempting to determine if the pattern of impairments that the patient has are typical or not typical for Alzheimer’s disease.

CT Scan or MRI for Alzheimer’s After the history and examination are completed, the doctor will commonly obtain a scan of the brain, using either a CT scan or MRI scan. The scans look at brain large-scale (macroscopic rather than microscopic) structure. (Newer scan types are being developed to begin to examine brain function and microscopic structure. In the future, these are likely to help better diagnose Alzheimer’s disease.) Also, the doctor, after the history and physical examination are completed, will

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commonly obtain certain blood tests. Which blood tests are obtained will depend on the background history and physical examination.

Alternative Causes of Dementia In attempting to make a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, the doctor will be considering alternative causes of dementia. For example, if a child, teenager or young adult has features of dementia, as described above, Alzheimer’s disease is very unlikely. Therefore, the causes of dementia in a young person would be considered. Another setting of dementia that is not Alzheimer’s disease would be someone who has dementia after a head injury. In an older person, the presence of a head injury does not exclude the possibility of Alzheimer’s disease as well. However, any young person who was normal before a head injury and who had dementia after a head injury would be diagnosed with “post-traumatic (after injury) dementia.” One form of this is “chronic traumatic encephalopathy”, a form of dementia that has been described in athletes, such as professional football players, who have had multiple head injuries.

Distinguishing Alzheimer’s disease from other late-life causes of dementia is not as easy or as obvious as the examples given above. In fact, even the doctors most knowledgeable about Alzheimer’s disease are not always accurate in making the diagnosis.

Parkinson’s Disease with Dementia vs. Alzheimer’s Disease with Dementia There is a list of other forms of dementia that can occur in later life. Distinguishing some of these from Alzheimer’s disease may be important. For example, the treatment of Parkinson’s disease with dementia is different from the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, because there are specific treatments for the problems of movement seen in patients with Parkinson’s disease.

Therefore, one of the goals of the doctor is to distinguish disorders that have different treatments and attempt to use that treatment most appropriate for that individual person. Another goal that the doctor has is to have enough information about the dementia to appropriately counsel the patient and family members about the diagnosis and treatment plan.

In summary, Alzheimer’s disease is, by definition, a cause of dementia. However, a diagnosis of dementia does not always mean that the person with that diagnosis has Alzheimer’s disease. Sometimes these distinctions are easy, and sometimes they are not.

To learn more about Alzheimer’s and dementia diagnosis, treatment, and prevention, check out Alzheimer’s basics online at: www.healthcentral.com/alzheimers?ic=4025

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Dementia Care 101 Newsmagazine

How Do I Know When The Time Is Right? ~ By Pamela Garofolo ~

I have heard this question asked many times over the years, in support groups as a facilitator and a group participant. I have been working professionally with people who have dementia for over 20 years, and families often ask, “When is the right time to utilize an assisted living or long term care community?” The standard professional response is often, “When the time is right, you will know.”

When it came to my own mother, my father would say things like, ”This is my burden to bare, no one else’s! I am keeping her home!”

My siblings and I would cringe at the idea of my mother being a burden to him, and worried about the impact caregiving was having on his health. On the other hand, my father was the primary, and he took his vow of “in sickness and in health” very seriously. He loved her more than anything.In the end, as so often happens, it was an emergency where my father landed in the hospital that ended up being the catalyst for moving my mother to an assisted living memorycare community. So in the end we knew we had to do it, but it was far from and ideal situation. In the end, I learned a lot. Here are a few things I learned about deciding when the time is right.

1. Never say never. So many of our families say (my own brother as well), “I would never put mom away.” If it meant sending my mom off to a 1975-style nursing home, then yes, I agree. But my brother had not visited such a community in over two decades, and had no idea of the advancements and the wonderful care many communities provide.

I often say my community is like Club Med, right down to the live classical piano player in the dining room a few nights a week, with all-inclusive options! The reality is that the person with dementia will continue to decline and will need more care as time progresses. I do recommend visiting a few facilities before the crisis or emergency. Thinking ahead is a good idea.

2. Is there risk or actual harm if the person stays at home?

This can be as obvious as them getting lost when out for a walk, or improper use of the stove. Sometimes the person with dementia can become verbally or physically aggressive. Risk for harm needs to be assessed for caregivers, too. For my mother, this was more of a gray area. My father would be understandably frustrated with her repetitive questions and then get loud and yell, “I told you already!” My mother would then tear-up, and my father would feel guilty and say he was failing at his “job”. This hurt their relationship, quality of life and health. My mother needed someone to help with the more difficult tasks so that my father could go back to being her husband and enjoy the humor and love she still had to share.

After my mother came to a memory care community, my dad was able to have nice meals and enjoy live entertainment with her, but someone else was there to help her get a shower and take over when he was getting frustrated with her repetitive questions.

3. Is there a benefit from moving? This is BIG! Most memory care communities focus on socialization. They have activities that promote success and boost self-esteem. They offer companionship with people who enjoy the same music and who don’t mind repetitive stories. They allow the person to be themselves. It can be extremely difficult and exhausting for a person with dementia to keep up the

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Veterans’ Corner Newsmagazine assists local military-connected organizations disseminate their news and provides valuable resources for South Jersey veterans. We keep you up to date on legislative news, provide information on local serviceconnected organizations, increase awareness of the many programs and benefits available to local vets, and share news from local posts and other organizations.

Veterans’ Corner Read us FREE online at Magazine is widely www.VeteransCornerNews.com distributed free to local VFW and American Legion Mail order subscriptions Posts, military-connected are available for a organizations, libraries, donation of $10 a year, retail stores, senior centers to ensure you never and other select locations. miss an issue.

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(609) 425-8608 illusion they are OK. They are frequently being told no when they are doing things wrong. Dementia-trained caregivers know how to say yes, safely. If my mother had cancer, we would have taken her to an oncologist. Why then, would we have denied her the benefit of the specialty care and services of a memory care community?

4. Home is just not working. We tried to keep mom home as long as possible, as many of us do. We had tried a number of home health providers, but and were not able to find that right fit for our situation. My father was not comfortable giving direction, nor would he leave my mother home alone with a paid caregiver.

He even dismissed a few well-intended aids after only an hour into the visit, because he did not understand what he was paying them for. If a caregiver had an emergency and could not make it, one of my sisters would need to take off work to fill in. It could have been mother Teresa herself coming to the house, but in the end it was just not a good fit. The more we tried to make it fit, the more frustrated everyone (including my mother), became. Home was just not working for anyone.

My experience with my mother has taught me more about dementia care than either my education or experience as a professional. I look back on that time with gratitude that my mother was able to be supported and experience the benefits of being in her home with my father as well as in a memory care community. I suppose in the end, the experts were correct...the time was right when the time was right, even though we might not have been confident in our decisions.

Pamela Garofolo, United Methodist Communities Corporate Manager of Tapestries Initiatives and Programing

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Dementia Care 101 Newsmagazine

What Is Adult Day Care?

Adult day care provides caregivers a much-needed break, giving them time to run errands, socialize, join a gym, take care of themselves or spend it with family and friends. It helps caregivers handle daily stresses. A few days a week or a full week can be a wonderful respite, and provides a perfect combination of assistance and independence!

Caregivers tend to be more reluctant to leave those with cognitive disabilities in a social setting such as this but adult day cares do specialize in caring for people with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, with dementia-tailored activities and staff who are specially-trained in the disease.

Why should I consider an Adult Day Care Program? We suggest that use of an adult day center begin when a prospective enrollee needs supervision and: • can no longer structure his or her own daily activities; • finds it difficult to initiate and focus on an activity, e.g. reading, conversation or watching television; • is isolated and lonely or desires peer interaction; • cannot be safely left alone; • lives with someone who works and is away from the home most of the day; • is anxious or depressed and needs social and emotional support; • feels uncertain and anxious when left alone; • requires attention that leads to your own anxiety, frustration, compromised health and/or depression.

What are the benefits of Adult Day Services? Day care centers offer a host of benefits for caregivers of the patients such as: 1. They provide a safe environment with safety features in place to handle wandering and/or other behaviors that are common among Alzheimer’s and dementia patients. The staff is trained to pay attention and to look for signs of trouble or dangerous behaviors in elders.

2. There are daily activities, such as crafts, music, games and exercise. Some programs include physical, occupational and speech therapy. Celebration of birthdays and holidays, field trips, special events outings, guest speakers and more give socialization that is tailored to those with Alzheimer’s or dementia.

3. Most provide transportation to and from the center.

4. Most adult day care centers serve nutritious meals throughout the day.

5. In addition, adult day staff provides assistance with personal care and toileting.They can also help coordinate care between physicians, families and other care providers.

What are the hours and costs of Adult Day Care? Programs run from several hours to a full-days. Participants may attend daily, a few times a week, weekly or just for special activities. Weekend and evening care are less common, although this is changing, as demand for adult day care rises. Most adult day care services charge by the hour, while others charge a monthly rate. Daily fees vary from center to center. Some adult day care centers charge an additional fee for transportation, while some offer it free. Some centers accept long-term insurance, veterans benefits and Medicaid, while others do not. There are also grants from the Alzheimer’s Association that could help with the costs as well. Most often, people pay out of their own pockets for these programs. Ask if a “sliding scale’’ of fees is available, which means that the amount that participants pay is based on their income.

What should I do first if I consider an Adult Day Center?

Step 1 – Determine your needs. What specific services are

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important to the person who will be using the center? A safe, secure environment? Social activities? Assistance with daily living skills (walking, eating, taking medications, bathing)? Therapies (physical, speech, occupational, nursing)? Health monitoring (blood pressure, blood sugar levels, food/liquid intake, weight)? Nutritious meals and/or snacks? Special diet? Exercise programming? Specialized care such as dementia care or TBI care?

What do you, the caregiver need? Occasional free time? Coverage while working? Transportation for your loved one? Assistance in planning care?

Step 2 – Locate an adult day center. Search centers in the National Adult Day Services Association’s (NADSA’s) database by street address and zip code. Contact your local Area Agency on Aging (800-677-1116). Contact your state’s Adult Day Services Association. See our local list below.

Step 3 – Make an appointment to visit the center(s) Step 4 – Know what to ask during your visit. Print out NADSA’s site visit-checklist beforehand.

Step 5 – Check references. Talk to two or three people who have used the center you are considering. Ask for their opinion.

Step 6 – Try it out. Select a day center and give it a try for a few days. Keep in mind that it often takes several visits for a new participant to feel comfortable in a new setting and routine. The staff may have suggestions for making the transition easier, both at home and at the center.

Step 7 – Take care of yourself. Relax, knowing your loved one is being well cared for. Always feel free to check in with the center and ask questions. They are there to help you!

Adult Day Care Centers in Cape May and Atlantic County • Caring Inc. 407 W. Delilah Road, Pleasantville, 609 484-7050 www.caringinc.org • Senior Care Active Day 211 South Main Street Cape May Court House, 609-465-8840 • 76 West Jimmie Leads Road West Park Center, Suite 505 Absecon, 609-652-3600 The National Adult Day Services Association is another good source of information. It can be reached by calling the toll-free telephone number 1-877-745-1440 or by visiting their website, www. nadsa.org.

Stress RX: A Caregiver’s Daily Prescription Caregivers get stressed. We have incredible burdens, and we don’t even realize that we’re not breathing correctly. We need to be more aware of ourselves. Actually, our stress is giving cues that may encouraging those with dementia to behave differently, so we need to make the changes ourselves and take care of us!

Did you know that caregivers are known to have higher cortisol levels, actually 50% higher than those who are not caregivers? Cortisol increases fat distribution in the belly area, creates vision problems, hinders decision making, raises blood pressure, increases heart rate and elevates sugar levels. Believe it or not, you may be taking shallow breaths and not getting enough oxygen to the brain.

A prescription for all caregivers: Stop! Take a deep breath through your nose, inflate your belly and breath out five times a day, every day. Your cortisol will go back to normal, and you will feel much better!

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Dementia Care 101 Newsmagazine

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DIRECTORY OF LOCAL RESOURCES Support Group Meetings Purple = Atlantic County

Green = Cape May County

3 Monday of every month Jewish older adult services on AC, 609-345-5555 Memory café KATZ, Margate 1-2 pm, 800-272-3900 United Methodist Comm. at The Shores, Ocean City, 11:30 am, 399-8505 Cape Regional, 1 pm, CMCH,609-463-4043 2nd Tuesday of every month Shore Medical Center for family caregivers, 4 pm, Somers Point, 609-653-3969 3rd Tuesday of every month Spring Village at Galloway, 6 pm, 609-404-1099 United Methodist Comm. at The Shores, Ocean City, 11:30 am, 399-8505 4th Tuesday of every month Lower Township Library, Memory, 1-2:30 pm, Café Alz., 800-272-3900 1st Wednesday of every month Caring Adult Day Services, 2 pm, Pleasantville, 609-484-7050 ext.

252 Cape Assist Lunch, 12-1 pm, 609-522-5960 3rd Wednesday of every month Royal Suites Health Care facility, 2 pm, Galloway, 609-748-9900 ext. 1706 Victorian Manor, N. Cape May, 4 pm, 609-898-0677 ext 5462 Cape Assist Lunch, 12-1 pm, 609-522-5960 2nd Thursday of every month Brandall Estates, 4 pm, Linwood, 609-926-4663 4th Thursday of every month Bayada Nursing support group, Linwood, 6 pm, Janice Bucknam, 609-926-4600 2nd Saturday of every month Holy Redeemer, CMCH, 2 pm, 856-379-7448 For additional support group listings, contact the Alzheimer’s Organization at 1-800-272-3900 rd

Hospice Organizations Bayada Hospice, 609-926-4600 Compassionate Care, 609-390-9792 Heartland, 609-641-4675 Holy Redeemer, 1-888-678-8678

Health Insurance Providers Medicaid has managed care through your insurance company.

Ask for your case manager, and request an in-home care evaluation for you loved one.

Aetna, 1-855-232-3596 Amerigroup, 1-800-600-4441 Horizon NJ Health, 1-877-765-4325 NJ Family Care, 1-800-701-0720 United Healthcare Community Plan, 1-800-941-4647 Well Care, 1-888-453-2534

County Boards Of Social Services Atlantic County, 609-348-3001 Cape May County, 609-886-6200

Physical Therapy Centers Bacharach Institute For Rehabilitation, Pomona 609-652-7000, Ocean City, 609-653-4141, Linwood 609-653-4960, Margate 609-487-7474, Cape May Court House 609-463-9944, Marmora 609-545-0030, North Cape May 609-770-7804, Atlantic City 609-347-3939, Brigatine 609-264-1666, Egg Harbor Township 609-748-5355, Hammonton 609-481-2163, Mays Landing 609-622-5500, Somers Point 609-653-4141 Cape Atlantic Physical Therapy, Northfield, 609-926-9600 Eastern Shore Physical Therapy, Linwood, 609-601-6140 Fox Reahailitation, Cape May and Atlantic County areas 1-877-407-3422 Harbor Physical Therapy, Somers Point, 609-653-9476 Integrity Physical Therapy and Wellness, 609-399-3344, Cape May Court House 609-465-8801 NovaCare Rehabilitation, Somers Point 609-927-4011, Linwood 609-609-2155, Marmora 609-390-2400

Senior Transportation [You may need to call or sign up for appointments.]

Atlantic County Senior Bus, 609-646-5910 Atlantic County Fare Free, 609-889-3700 Cape May County Fare Free, 609-889-3700 Senior Transportation, 609-407-9897

General Transportation Absolute Transportation, 609-601-8390 Adels Van Taxi Service, 609-992-5566 Access Link, 800-955-2321 Allstar Taxi NJ, 609-674-6997 Atlantic City Municipal Transportation, 609-347-5416 Atlantic City Taxi Car Van Shuttle Service, EHT, 609-645-2583 Amtrack, 1-800-USA-RAIL Avalon Jimmy Cab, NJ, 609-816-5051 Brigatine Transportation, 609-266-2891 Checker Cab, 609-522-1431 English Creek Tilton Rd. Community Shuttle, 856-614-1072 G Taxi & Trasportation, 609-972-1315 Logistic Care, 1-966-527-9933 Lou’s Luxury Car Service, Atlantic City, 609-383-1457 Margate Transportation, 609-822-3304 NJ Transit, 973-275-5555 Prac, 609-861-5800 Wildwood Airport Taxi Service, 609-785-3600 Yellow Cab Company, Cape May 609-522-0555, Atlantic City 609-344-1221 Uber Lyft

Dept. Of Aging & Disability Services Offering programs and services for senior residents, such as “meals on wheels”, utility assistance, health insurance, medical, legal and caregiver support programs.

Atlantic County Intergenerational Services, 101 Shore Road, 1-888-426-9243 Cape May County Dept. of Aging & Disabled, 4005 Route 9 S., Rio Grande, 609-886-2784.

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DIRECTORY OF LOCAL RESOURCES Assisted Living Facilities Autumn Lakes, 2721 Rt 9, Ocean View, 609-624-3881 Brandywine Living at Brandall Estates, 432 Central Avenue, Linwood 609-926-4663 Brookdale Cape May, 591 Rt. 9 S., Cape May Court House, 609-463-6344 Seashore Gardens Living Center, 22 West Jimmie Leeds Rd., Galloway, 609-404-4848 Somer’s Place, 199 Steelmanville Rd., Egg Harbor Twp., 609-926-5891 Spring Village at Galloway, 46 W Jimmy Leeds Rd., Galloway, 609-404-1099 The Heritage, 45 Rt. 206, Hammonton, 609-561-877 United Methodist Communities at the Shores, 2201 Bay Avenue, Ocean City, 609-399-8505 Victorian Commons, 610 Town Bank Rd., North Cape May, 609-898-0044 Villa Raffaella Assisted Living Community, 917 S. Main St., Pleasantville, 609-645-9300 Wood View Estates, 5030 Unami Blvd., Mays Landing, 609-625-4878

In-home Nursing Care Agencies Angel Alliance Caregivers, 609-965-0028 A Better Home Caregivers, 609-568-6345 Atlantic Cape Home Care, 609-399-4788 Bayada Nurses, Somers Point 609 601-2200, Egg Harbor, 609-272-1200, Cape May Court House, 609-465-1205 Comfort Keepers, 609-277-7855 Griswold Home Caregivers, 609-385-1559 Home Instead, 609-927-0203 Karing for Kindness, 609-601-2150 Preferred Home Health Care and Nursing Services, 609-404-7814 Right at Home, 609-788-8236 Senior Helpers, 609-365-1124 Synergy Home Caregivers, Hammonton, 609-561-4306 Cape May Court House, 609-486-6627 Visiting Angels, Marmora, 609-545-8258, Egg Harbor, 609-641-7200 Wright Choice, 609-927-5500

Funeral Homes In Cape May County Evoy Funeral Home, North Cape May, 609-886-7111 Godfrey Funeral Home, Marmora, 609-390-9699, Egg Harbor Twp., 609-241-6460 Ingersoll Greenwood Funeral Home, No. Wildwood, 609-522-2121 Langley-Loveland Funeral Home, Woodbine, 609-628-2222 Radzieta Funeral Home, Cape May Court House, 609-465-7458 Spilker Funeral Home, Cape May, 609-884-3793 If your facility or service is not listed, please let us know and we’ll add it to our directory. Please email: dementiacare101mag@gmail.com

Funeral Homes In Atlantic County Adams-Perfect Funeral Home, Northfield, 609-641-0065 Atwood Peterson O’Brien, Egg Harbor City, 609-965-0381 Boakes Funeral Home, Mays Landing, 609-625-2324 Carnesale Funeral Home, Hammonton, 609-561-0047 Collins, Stephen T., Atlantic City, 609-344-9004 George H Wimberg Funeral Home, Ventnor City, 609-822-1929 Gormley Funeral Home, Atlantic City, 609-344-1101 Greenidge Funeral Home, Atlantic City, 609-345-6305 Jeffries & Keates Funeral Home, Northfield, 609-646-3400 Keates-Lumb Funeral Home, Brigantine, 609-266-3481 Landolfi Funeral Home, Hammonton, 609-561-0160 Lowenstein’s Funeral Home, Absecon, 609-652-8330 Marinella Funeral Home, Hammonton, 609-561-1311 McAvaddy, John J., Atlantic City, 609-344-1101 Middleton-Strobel & Zale Funeral Home, Somes Point, 609-927-3844 Mikal’s Funeral Parlor, Atlantic City, 609-344-1131 Parsels Funeral Home, Absecon, 609-641-0071 Roth-Goldsteins’ Memorial Chapel, Atlantic City, 609-344-9004 Saraceno Funeral Home, Egg Harbor City, 609-965-0381 Serenity Funeral Home, Pleasantville, 609-383-9994 Wimberg Funeral Home, Galloway, 609-641-0001, Linwood, 609-653-1881

Nursing Home Facilities In Cape May County Autum Lake Healthcare, Ocean View, 609-624-3881 Crest Haven Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, CMCH, 609-465-1260 North Cape Center, Cape May, 609-898-8899 Oceana Rehabilitation & Nursing, CMCH, 609-465-7633 United Methodist Communities At The Shores, Ocean City, 609-399-8505 Victorian Commons Retirement Center, North Cape May, 609-898-0044 Victorian Manor, North Cape May, 609-898-0677

Nursing Home Facilities In Atlantic County Absecon Manor, Absecon, 609-646-5400 Eastern Pines Convalescent Center, Atlantic City, 609-453-3200 Hammonton Center, Hammonton, 609-567-3100 Linwood Care Center, Linwood, 609-927-6131 Mainland Manor, Pleasantville, 609-646-6900 Meadowview Nursing and Rehabilitation, Northfield, 609-645-5955 Our Lady’s Center for Rehabilitation And Healthcare, Pleasantville, 609-464-2450 Renaissance Pavilion, Pomona, 609-652-7000 Royal Suites Healthcare And Rehabilitation, Galloway, 609-748-9900 Seashore Gardens Living Center, Galloway, 609-404-4848 The Health Center At Galloway, 609-748-9100

Fall 2018

Dementia Care 101 Newsmagazine

Early Stage Dementia:

How You Can Help Your Loved One

By Maryann Prudhomme MS, RN,CCM You may have noticed your loved one struggling to remember names or misplacing items, and wondered if it’s part of the normal aging process or a sign of dementia. In the earliest stages of dementia, most people still are able to perform basic activities of daily living, but problems with forgetfulness or concentration gradually become more noticeable.

Early warning signs of Dementia may include: • Misplacing items without being able to retrace your steps to find them.

• Difficulty with planning or performing routine tasks.

• Slight trouble managing finances, such as balancing a checkbook.

• Confusion while driving.

• Trouble managing medications.

• Inability to find the word to communicate or holding a detailed conversation.

• Trouble following detailed steps of something, such as a recipe.

When these symptoms become severe enough to interfere with everyday activities, it’s wise to discuss your concerns with their doctor.

Practical Tips For Living With Dementia Symptoms progress differently for each individual, and there are things your loved one can do right away (such as eating well, exercising and eliminating bad habits such as smoking) to keep their brain and body as healthy as possible for as long as possible. Consult a physician about medications that may be able to help slow the progression of the disease.

There are some other things you and your loved one can do to help make living with dementia a little easier: • Learn as much as you can about the disease, its symptoms, and how to help your loved one manage their health.

• Encourage them to keep a journal or memory box of things they want to remember.

• Find other, possibly new, ways to express themselves, such as music, photography or visual art.

• Help your loved one use wall calendars and planners to keep their days organized.

• Recommend that they put their keys and cell phone in an obvious, consistent place.

• Leave “sticky notes” in strategic places around the home as reminders.

• Label storage, drawers and cabinets.

• Permanently post important phone numbers by the phone.

• Program names and telephone numbers into the phone.

• Help set up household bills to be paid automatically by their bank’s bill payment service or by direct debit.

• Remove trip hazards and install safety devices such as nightlights, fire extinguishers, and smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

• Set up an alarm and a pill organizer to remind them to take their medication.

Social Activity Tips It can be easy to become socially isolated and depressed with a new diagnosis of dementia. If your loved one is in the early stages and is capable of participating in everyday activities, encourage them to: • Plan special outings and regular opportunities to spend time with

Page 17

family and friends.

• Take that trip they’ve always wanted.

• Keep themselves occupied with hobbies or projects they enjoy.

• Develop a regular routine of exercise and other activities that gets them out of the house and around other people.

• Get out in nature more often.

• Volunteer in their community.

• Join a local support group for people with dementia and/or their families.

• Seek individual and/or family counseling.

• Talk to a member of their spiritual community.

• Participate in activities for people with memory loss.

• Join online communities of people with dementia or people with similar interests.

Long-term Considerations Whether or not your loved one’s dementia advances quickly or slowly, it is a progressive disease, so making the right decisions today can have a great effect on their future. You may want to consult a financial advisor, elder care attorney, aging life care specialist or other professional to help you and your loved one make decisions about their finances, will, power of attorney, health care and agingin-place choices. It’s better to explore these options together before their symptoms become too advanced.

You Are Not Alone A dementia diagnosis can be scary, but it’s important to remember that you and your family are not alone. Home care services that help with activities of daily living (including personal care and assistance with laundry, meals and other home needs) are a very popular solution to support people with dementia and their families on an ongoing basis. Specially-trained, compassionate, professional caregivers can provide the companionship, peace of mind and help your loved needs to live well and stay safe and independent in the comfort of home for as long as possible.

[Maryann Prudhomme MS, RN,CCM, BAYADA Home Health Care. BAYADA Home Health Care is a trusted leader in providing clinical care and support services at home for children and adults of all ages. Since 1975, company founder Mark Baiada has been at the forefront of the home health care movement, working to give people greater access to high-quality care that helps them live safely at home.]

“To enjoy the rainbow, you have to endure the rain” The rainbow is beautiful, but sometimes you have to get a little wet to experience it. Sometimes it’s a sprinkle and sometimes we wonder how we will ever dry off again...but you will. We DO. We rise again and again and again....we are more resilient than we tend to give ourselves credit for.

In the words of the late, great Maya Angelou: Just like moons and like suns, With the certainty of tides, Just like hopes springing high, Still I’ll rise.

Page 18

Dementia Care 101 Newsmagazine

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Fall 2018

Our Brain’s Malfunction Cognitive impairments have many symptoms such as memory loss, impaired ability to learn, relearn or recall, impaired ability to plan, organize or sequence, inability to identify, recognize, personality and behavior symptoms, anxiety, wandering, difficulty concentrating and following instructions, physical symptoms, inappropriate behaviors, crying, tremors, stiffness, shuffling gait, falls, hallucinations, loss of muscle control, lack of facial expressions, impaired speech, lack of empathy, lack of proper social conduct, abrupt mood changes, visual deterioration impulsivity, obsessive, compulsive behaviors, language changes and difficulty swallowing.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, be sure to see your neurologist. Neurologists are experts in this field.

These are just a few symptoms of one of the 10 various dementias, which typically begin at age 60, but could occur at an earlier age as well, called “early onset”.

Various dementias include Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, mixed dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies, Parkinson’s disease, Fronto Temporal dementia, Picks disease, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, Binswanger disease and Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome.

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807,000

That’s the number of people one study, based in Denmark, looked at to determine that there’s an association between develping dementia and lithium levels in drinking water. Citizens who ingested higher levels of lithium – about 0.015 milligrams per liter – were less likely to develop dementia than those whose drinking water had lower levels of the metal. ~Discover Magazine, May 2018

Fall 2018

Dementia Care 101 Newsmagazine

Caregiver Of The Season: Shirley Bridges

A Caregivers Perspective ~ By Christine Meehan ~ My good friend Shirley Bridges who’s mother in-law had dementia, and her brother had mental health issues, started caring for dementia patients early in her life. Then she revisited the field recently, caring for my husband who has Frontotemporal Degeneration. She was hired as a companion to look after Joe while I had the opportunity of having some desparately-needed respite. This relief was a blessing for me, a way to recharge my battery and re-evaluate my own personal caring approach...a time to recap, rethink and rejuvenate!

I also had in-home care with Senior Helpers. I encouraged Shirley to contact them and sign up. She was excellent with Joe as a caregiver. She prepared his meals, kept him safe and sound, along with entertaining him with blocks, puzzles and storytelling.

Having someone like Shirely was so important. As a caregiver, your job is to start getting your support team together, and Shirley was on the roster Shirley Bridges as a participating player.

After joining Senior Helpers and after over a year with my husband, Shirley was asked to help Joe’s father, who was suffering from Lewy Bodies Dementia. She met my mother-law Mary, and the two of them hit it off.

Shirley became a big part of our family. Joe, Sr. asked what Shirley was doing there, and Shirley was always obliged to say she was there for Mary, not him. WHY? Because the in-home caregiver is really there for the caregiver more so than the patient themselves.

We the caregivers need the help, we need the rest, we need time. We want to do it all ourselves, but reality sets in, and we have to release, relinquish and reset our priorities.

Shirley likes people, and she believes you should have a good quality of life. I enjoy learning about others. She sees the progress that dementia patients go through and being there throughout the journey is challenging. I am always up for a challenge. I jump right in and seem to have the patience. Shirley loves children, and babysits for Sitters at the Shore. Shirley admits she likes to talk, and being a professional companion has been very rewarding for her. She says that both Joe, Sr. and Joe, Jr. were so enjoyable to be around. They were funny, had interesting pasts and always looked forward to the time she would spend with them. She enjoyed being there for those who need something. It may not be much, but it means a great deal. Errands, chores, talking, listening and simply being a part of another family makes me whole. I know for a fact, that people really do want to help.

They may not know how, so it’s best to simply ask!

Joe, Jr. resides in a local nursing home. Joe, Sr. recently passed, and Shirley’s own friend recently passed, but for Shirley, she will find her future path helping someone else. She is a caring and nurturing person who makes a difference in people’s lives. Mary and I are thankful and appreciative to have had Shirley be a part of our team.

Page 19

SUBSCRIPTIONS Don’t Miss An Issue!

Dementia Care 101 is essential for RNs, CNAs, wives, husbands, family members and friends involved with dementia care, providing information and insight they need to give the highest quality care to their loved ones.

FALL 201

8

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tia Care

101

News, res

ource articles s and informa of tive Dementi interest for a Caret akers

Mail order subscriptions are available for only $15 a year.

Make checks payable to Christine Meehan, and mail to:

Dementia Care 101 Magazine 305 N. Third Street, Rio Grande, NJ 08242

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Page 20

Dementia Care 101 Newsmagazine

Fall 2018

Make A Difference...

Get Involved!

Early Stage Dementia: How You Can Help Your Loved One

Alzheimer’s is a disease in which we must get involved. It will cost our country $277 billion in 2018, with 1 in 5 Medicare dollars spent on the disease. Someone develops Alzheimer’s every 65 seconds, making it the sixth leading cause of death in the U.S., and the only leading cause of death without a way to prevent, cure or even slow its progression! While elected leaders have increased federal research investment and taken important steps to improve care and support services, voters rightly expect them to do more to address the Alzheimer’s crisis.

Research has proven that Alzheimer’s poses the greatest risk to our retirement. AIM (Alzheimer’s Impact Movement) and its advocates will continue to engage federal and state candidates across the country. Candidates were asked not only what they have already done to fight Alzheimer’s, but also what actions they commit to take if elected to office.

AIM is leading the way to advance policies that will improve access to quality health care services for individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease. The health care system, as it exists today, all too often fails both those living with dementia and their caregivers.

Because of AIM’s efforts with the Alzheimer’s Association, addressing the shortcomings through better policies, it is now front and center on Capitol Hill, as well as in federal agencies.

AIM continues to push to advance care priorities for our communities with The Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act (PCHETA) (S. 693/H.R. 1676). Palliative and hospice care (with a focus on managing and easing symptoms, reducing pain and stress, and increasing comfort ) can improve both the quality of care and quality of life for those with advanced dementia. PCHETA would ensure an adequate, well-trained palliative care workforce through workforce training, education, awareness and enhanced research.

AIM and the Alzheimer’s Association advocate for an ambitious policy agenda to improve care for our community. They need your support to drive Congress to act. Continue to ask your members of Congress to enact policies that ensure individuals living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias to assist as we fight this disease.

To achieve New Jersey’s state policy goals, the Alzheimer’s Association educates legislators and regulators about our issues, offers model legislation for consideration, provides technical assistance for policy makers, brings our advocates to the state houses to tell their personal stories and runs a wide variety of other programs. State officials determine regulatory and statutory standards for dementia training, control spending on state respite care dollars (which affects access to those services), designate spending for state long-term care services, increase early detection and diagnosis of ALLZ, educate the public about risk reduction and control and they preserve Medicaid spending, and in some cases, eligibility and scope of benefits, all of which can have a direct effect on families impacted by dementia.

Fact: Among individuals with Alzheimer’s, 75 percent will be admitted to a nursing home by the age of 80. As a result, Medicaid is critical for many people with Alzheimer’s. While Medicaid spending constitutes one of the largest items in most state budgets (and most states continue to face severe fiscal constraints), state policymakers must ensure that critical benefits are preserved.

In 2017, New Jersey spent $1,887 million dollars, and in 2025 it is expected to spend $2,534 million dollars. That’s a 34.3% increase!

There’s no powerful way to get Washington to do its part other than to support the Alzheimer’s Impact Movement. Make a difference and get involved! Visit www.Alzimpact.org.

By Maryann Prudhomme MS, RN,CCM You may have noticed your loved one struggling to remember names or misplacing items, and wondered if it’s part of the normal aging process or a sign of dementia. In the earliest stages of dementia, most people still are able to perform basic activities of daily living, but problems with forgetfulness or concentration gradually become more noticeable.

Early warning signs of Dementia may include: • Misplacing items without being able to retrace your steps to find them.

• Difficulty with planning or performing routine tasks.

• Slight trouble managing finances, such as balancing a checkbook.

• Confusion while driving.

• Trouble managing medications.

• Inability to find the word to communicate or holding a detailed conversation.

• Trouble following detailed steps of something, such as a recipe.

When these symptoms become severe enough to interfere with everyday activities, it’s wise to discuss your concerns with their doctor.

Practical tips for living with dementia

Symptoms progress differently for each individual, and there are things your loved one can do right away, such as eating well, exercising and eliminating bad habits such as smoking, to keep their brain and body as healthy as possible for as long as possible. Consult a physician about medications that may be able to help slow the progression of the disease.

There are some other things you and your loved one can do to help make living with dementia a little easier: • Learn as much as you can about the disease, its symptoms and how to help your loved one manage their health.

• Encourage them to keep a journal or memory box of things they want to remember.

• Find other, possibly new ways to express themselves, such as music, photography or visual art.

• Help your loved one use wall calendars and planners to keep their days organized.

• Recommend that they put their keys and cell phone in an obvious, consistent place.

• Leave “sticky notes” in strategic places around the house as reminders.

• Label storage, drawers and cabinets.

• Permanently post important phone numbers by the phone.

• Program names and telephone numbers into the phone.

• Help set up household bills to be paid automatically by their bank’s bill payment service or by direct debit.

• Remove trip hazards and install safety devices such as nightlights, fire extinguishers and smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

• Set up an alarm and a pill organizer to remind them to take their medication.

Social activity tips

It can be easy to become socially isolated and depressed with a new diagnosis of dementia. If your loved one is in the earlier stages

Fall 2018

Dementia Care 101 Newsmagazine

and is capable of participating in everyday activities, encourage them to: • Plan special outings and regular opportunities to spend time with family and friends.

• Take that trip they’ve always wanted.

• Keep themselves occupied with hobbies or projects they enjoy.

• Develop a regular routine of exercise and other activities that gets them out of the house and around other people.

• Get out in nature more often.

• Volunteer in their community.

• Join a local support group for people with dementia and/or their families.

• Seek individual and/or family counseling.

• Talk to a member of their spiritual community.

• Participate in activities for people with memory loss.

• Join online communities of people with dementia or people with similar interests.

Long-term considerations

Whether or not your loved one’s dementia advances quickly or slowly, it is a progressive disease, so making the right decisions today can have a great effect on their future. You may want to consult a financial advisor, elder care attorney, aging life care specialist or other professional to help you and your loved one make decisions about their finances, will, power of attorney, health care and aging-inplace choices. It’s better to explore these options together before their symptoms become too advanced.

You are not alone

A dementia diagnosis can be scary, but it’s important to remember that you and your family are not alone. Home care services that help with activities of daily living (including personal care and assistance with laundry, meals and other home needs) are a very popular solution to support people with dementia and their families on an ongoing basis. Specially trained, compassionate, professional caregivers can provide the companionship, peace of mind and help your loved needs to live well and stay safe and independent in the comfort of home for as long as possible. ~ Maryann Prudhomme MS, RN,CCM, can be contacted at BAYADA Home Health Care. BAYADA Home Health Care is a trusted leader in providing clinical care and support services at home for children and adults of all ages.

Since 1975, company founder Mark Baiada has been at the forefront of the home health care movement, working to give people greater access to highquality care that helps them live safely at home. Call 609-365-4111.

Page 21

6 Facts About A Person With Dementia

By Dan Lonigro, CPI Global Professional Instructor I can still smell the flowers.

I don’t garden anymore, but I can still smell the flowers. Bring me some roses. This will remind me of my past.

I can still communicate.

I can’t talk the way I used to, but I can still communicate. Be patient as I try. This will help me feel connected.

I can still make decisions.

I don’t have the judgment I used to, but I can still make decisions.

Give me coices. This will make me feel like I’m a part of things.

I can still wash my face.

I can’t take a bath by myself anymore, but I can still wash my face.

Assist me with direction. This will help me feel purpose.

I can still sing.

I can’t dance anymore, but I can still sing. Help me enjoy music.

This will enrich my life.

I can still move my body.

I can’t walk unassisted anymore, but I can still move my body.

Walk with me, and support me if I stumble. This will help me feel engaged.

You are my lifeline. I depend on you. But, please don’t do for me what I can do for myself. Recognize what I can do and help me to function as a person.

You are key to the quality of my life.

From crisisprevention.com

Resilent Caregivers 1. Accept the situation for what it is.

2. Grieve for what the have lost.

3. Value the person and relationship they do have.

4. Have empathy for their loved one and themselves.

5. Appreciate that everyone is doing their best.

6. Are flexible and go with the flow.

7. Are honest about how they feel.

8. Make self-care a priority.

9. Ask for help.

10. Seek the positive.

From Care2Caregivers, 800-424-2494 In only 12 years from now, the first millennials will be turning 49, Gen Xers will begin turning 65 and the first baby boomers will be turning 84, an age at which dementia is most prevalent.

– AARP

• The right to get frustrated! If your loved one is sorely trying your patience, simply stop what you are doing, take a deep breath and do something else.

• The right to be occasionally impatient! Be positive, discuss and do something active, such as take a walk. Cool down!

• The right to want time to be alone! Recharge your battery, sit quietly, read, meditate, nap, do yoga, ride a bike, quiet yourself.

Page 22

Dementia Care 101 Newsmagazine

Who knows where this journey will lead?

Life Is... ~

By Mother Teresa ~

Life is an opportunity; benefit from it.

Life is beauty; admire it. Life is a dream; realize it.

Life is a challenge; meet it. Life is a duty; complete it.

Life is a game; play it. Life is a promise; fulfill it.

Life is sorrow; overcome it. Life is a song; sing it.

Life is a struggle; accept it. Life is a tragedy; confront it.

Life is an adventure; dare it. Life is luck; make it.

Life is too precious; do not destroy it. Life is life; fight for it.

Fall 2018

Care2Caregivers is staffed by peer counselors who have cared for family members with dementia and who also worked as dementia professionals in the health care industry. They have seen dementia from both sides. They know what it is like to be up all night with someone who won’t sleep. They have seen how effective medications can be to help with behavioral symptoms that some people with dementia may experience. They have felt the stresses of making decisions for family members who can no longer decide things for themselves. They have provided meaningful activities for those with dementia using music, art, dance and reminiscing.

Care 2 Caregiver peer counselors are compassionate and dedicated. They have a special affinity for those with memory impairment and want to help them have the best lives possible despite their illness.

They have seen it all. They have helped turn people’s lives around.

Care 2 Caregivers peer counselors have a special affinity for YOU! They want YOU to have the best life you can have as well.

They know what is like to feel pulled in many directions because of caregiving responsibilities. They know how it feels to be overlooked because everything now is about the person with the illness. They know how caregiving impacts your relationships, your dreams, your health and your bank account.

They can help you cope with the stresses of caregiving. They can tell you about helpful resources. They can help you plan for the future. But mostly, they can just listen. Give they a call. 1-800-434-2494. When you care, they are there for you.

You Have To Check Out TeepaSnow.com

Don’t Miss A Single Issue!

Attention: family, friends and all care partners!

Let our informative, quaraterly publication come right to you!

Mail order subscriptions are available for only $15 a year. Make checks payable to Christine Marie at: Dementia Care 101 Magazine/Sitters at the Shore 305 N. Third Street, Rio Grande, NJ 08242 Dementia Care 101 is essential for all care partners, providing helpful infomration and insight needed to assist you in navigating this dementia journey.

The website www.TeepaSnow.com is by a dementia-care education specialist with a background in occupational therapy and over 30 years in clinical practice. She has worked in a variety of settings, with a variety of people. She will teach you with experiential training called multi-modal learning on-line in her seminars, or Utube videos.

This is a great guide for ALL caregivers.

“Greater awareness” are the two words I think of when I hear Teepa Snow’s name. She helps with building skills that we caregivers need to give the best care for our loved ones. Dementia is the big umbrella of a brain disease. The brain health of our loved ones is constantly changing. Nothing is going to cure, fix or stop it! The question is, what are you going to do about it? We are on the journey together! Take a look, and then try some of her tips, because you can make a big difference, not only in where you end up, but also in how you get there.

Teepa has been an inspiration for many, and I can guarantee that you will learn something from her. It’s a big choice, a big challenge.

We all have to work together and make the necessary CHANGES! It’s mother nature who changes our seasons. It’s the caregiver who changes for reasons!

Fall 2018

Dementia Care 101 Newsmagazine

Page 23

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