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Taking Care of Parents Without Going Broke
The New York Times
Denise Egebrecht needed a break.
It had been three years since her 86-year-old mother, Eleanor Schwartz, moved in with her and her husband in their home in Johnsburg, Ill. Mrs. Schwartz has Alzheimer’s disease and has trouble moving around, so Mrs. Egebrecht helps her mother with her shower each day, makes sure she’s fed and takes her on small excursions to the mall in a portable wheelchair. The routine includes occasionally reminding her mother of what day it is and where she’s living.
via Taking Care of Parents Without Going Broke – NYTimes.com.
Posted on September 26, 2009 | No Comments | Category: Alzheimer's, Caregiving | Tags: family caregiving, respite care
When Elder Care Problems Escalate, You Can Hire an Expert
The New York Times
CARING for an elderly parent is emotionally and mentally draining. There are diagnoses to decipher, housing issues to consider, health aides to vet and a raft of legal documents to complete. It can seem overwhelming, even when families are in complete agreement on how to care for an elderly relative. And often they are not.
Last week, my colleague Walecia Konrad offered advice on how to find “respite care” — someone to temporarily help you tend to an elderly parent or loved one so you can have some time for your own life. This week, I am writing about what to do when you feel the situation calls for the equivalent of a case worker.
Happily, such case workers can be found. They are called geriatric care managers.
via Patient Money – When Elder Care Problems Escalate, You Can Hire an Expert – NYTimes.com.
Posted on September 26, 2009 | No Comments | Category: Caregiving | Tags: family caregiving
Alzheimer’s patient’s art raises money
Chicago Tribune
NORMAL, Ill. – Elizabeth Jones’s paintings depict bright flowers, colorful landscapes and bold sunsets, reflections of photographs and memories.
“It gives me pleasure,” Jones, 64, said of her painting and sketching.
Jones’s art has taken a larger role in her life since she became a resident of Sugar Creek Alzheimer’s Special Care Center in February 2008. Beginning Saturday, her art takes a community role of combating Alzheimer’s disease.
via ILLINOIS SPOTLIGHT: Alzheimer’s patient’s art raises money — chicagotribune.com.
Posted on September 26, 2009 | No Comments | Category: Alzheimer's, Caregiving | Tags: art
Boy’s films confront Down’s syndrome stigma in Serbia
Agence France Press
ALEKSANDROVAC, Serbia — Like many boys his age, 14-year-old Aksentije wanted to become a secret agent, at least on the big screen like his idol Antonio Banderas.
Despite a gloomy prognosis at birth when doctors gave him only a year to live then growing up with Down’s syndrome in a country where such disabilities carry an unshakeable social stigma, Aksentije has achieved his dream.
For several years he and his cousin Aleksandra, a drama student, have been making short films including the touching and optimistic “The Story”, which won a special prize at a film festival in the northern city of Novi Sad.
via AFP: Boy’s films confront Down’s syndrome stigma in Serbia.
Posted on September 26, 2009 | No Comments | Category: Down Syndrome | Tags: movies
What Is The Difference Between Demetia And Alzheimer’s?
Alzheimer's Disease Library
Dementia refers to a loss of cognitive function (cognition) due to changes in the brain caused by disease or trauma. The changes may occur gradually or quickly; and how they occur may determine whether dementia is reversible or irreversible.
Cognition is the act or process of thinking, perceiving, and learning.
via What Is The Difference Between Demetia And Alzheimer? | Alzheimers Disease Library.
Posted on September 26, 2009 | No Comments | Category: Alzheimer's, Dementia |
How to Handle Someone with Alzheimer’s Who Wanders | Caring.com
caring.com
Wandering, which includes pacing restlessly in a room, meandering aimlessly through the house, or wandering away from home or from companions in a public place, is no small hazard: People with Alzheimer’s have been known to wander away from homes or nursing facilities and been found very ill or even dead from stress, lack of proper medication, or exposure to the elements.
via How to Handle Someone with Alzheimer’s Who Wanders | Caring.com.
Posted on September 26, 2009 | No Comments | Category: Alzheimer's, Wandering |
Maine condo conversion project gets under way
Portland (Maine) Press Herald
SOUTH PORTLAND — Construction has started on a commercial building in the Knightville neighborhood that’s being converted to condominiums for adults with developmental disabilities.
The three-story, 6,000-square-foot building on E Street has enough space for nine units, including two for live-in staff members.
Anna Bulger, 21, of Cape Elizabeth plans to live there. Bulger has autism. Her mother, Mary Chris Bulger, said she bought the building to give her daughter a sense of pride and independence.
via Knightville conversion project gets under way | Portland Press Herald.
Posted on September 25, 2009 | No Comments | Category: Autism | Tags: adults with autism, housing
A Sixth-Grader Talks About His Asperger’s
Healing Thresholds
Paul is a Madison, Wisconsin, sixth-grader who happens to have Asperger’s Syndrome. His speech-language pathologist, Penny Bright, of Mind Matters Clinics, has worked with him during the last couple of school years. She explains that many of the interventions that have helped Paul gain communication and socials skills include Berard Auditory Integration Training (AIT), and Fast ForWord®, along with speech therapy. Paul says that he has had his ups and downs at school; he found elementary school to be easy, but a year at a French Montessori school to be a bit more difficult. He especially liked the format where he could learn at his own speed and learn from others.
Posted on September 25, 2009 | No Comments | Category: Autism | Tags: Asperger's, school
Great Activities for Seniors with Alzheimer’s
carebuzz.com
When your loved one suffers from a memory impairment, it can be hard to cope. But don’t let the challenges allow you to forget about caring for more than just their very basic needs; try these fun activities to make sure they have a great quality of life.
via Great Activities for Seniors with Alzheimer’s | Home Care Dallas.
Posted on September 25, 2009 | No Comments | Category: Alzheimer's, Caregiving | Tags: activities
Teaching Strategies for Asperger’s Students
newhorizons.org
Since the 1960’s there have been numerous legislative acts intended to protect the rights of children with disabilities. One key piece of legislation, the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA), provides that children be placed in the least restrictive environment possible for their education. Anderson, Chitwood, and Hayden (1997), state,
“before IDEA, our schools almost always segregated children with disabilities from children without disabilities. Now, however, our nation has legislation that requires all students to have equal access to education. As a result, increasing numbers of children with disabilities are being integrated into regular education classrooms. Under IDEA, students with disabilities are guaranteed services in the least restrictive environment.” (p. XV).
via Teaching Strategies for Asperger’s Students.
Posted on September 25, 2009 | No Comments | Category: Autism | Tags: Asperger's, school