Category: Caregiving
Retirees targeted with investment scams
MSNBC
Annuities. Reverse mortgages. Life insurance pools. Principal-protected notes. The options being offered to senior citizens hoping to ensure a comfortable retirement are dizzying. And in a growing number of cases, that may be the intention as more scammers — often elderly themselves — try to con retirees.
Though hard numbers are difficult to come by, many lawyers and advocates for the elderly say more seniors than ever are being lured into investment schemes that are unsuitable for people of their age or are outright swindles.
“Seniors who suffer from isolation and diminished capacity make ideal targets,” says Steve Riess, a San Francisco attorney who represents elderly victims of con artists peddling bogus investments.
One out of five Americans over the age of 65 has been the victim of a financial scam, according to the Washington-based Investor Protection Trust, a nonprofit that promotes shareholder education.
via Scams: A sucker retires every minute – Business – Your retirement – msnbc.com.
Posted on July 27, 2010 | No Comments | Category: Alzheimer's, Caregiving | Tags: Alzheimer's, finances
Adult night-care service for Alzheimer’s patients who may wander
The Grand Rapids Press
Nighttime is when some Alzheimer’s patients are most restless, creating an anxious, sleepless time for caregivers who worry about their loved ones wandering.
“It is common for them to get their circadian rhythms off,” said Jean Van Den Beldt, administrator of Byron Center Manor, which plans to begin a new dawn-to-dusk activity program called Twilight Care.
The dementia-care and adult-day services community at 2115 84th St. SW is starting the program, which will run from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 a.m., to keep restless patients in a safe, stimulating environment. The cost is $120 per night.
via New service keeps restless Alzheimer’s patients busy at night | MLive.com.
Posted on July 23, 2010 | No Comments | Category: Alzheimer's, Caregiving | Tags: adult daycare, Alzheimer's, caregiver stress, Caregiving, Dementia, family caregiving, respite care, sundowning, Wandering
DVD on fall prevention for Alzheimer’s and dementia patients, family caregivers
Alzheimer's Foundation of America
The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America AFA recently released “Preventing Falls: Practical Steps to Reduce Fears and Risks,” the latest DVD in AFA’s “Your Time to Care” series of educational programs for family caregivers, in the hopes of helping caregivers reduce their own risk of falls and prevent their loved ones from falling.
Falls are a very common and life-threatening occurrence and are particularly worrisome for caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease, a brain disorder that primarily affects people older than 65. In fact, according to federal government statistics, one out of three individuals over the age of 65 will experience a fall, resulting in 20,000 deaths annually.“What’s really important to know is that a fall is preventable,” said Laura N. Gitlin, Ph.D., one of the experts featured in the DVD and director of the Center for Applied Research on Aging and Health, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia.
With this in mind, “Preventing Falls” provides insight into why dementia intensifies the incidence of falls and offers practical strategies from experts and family caregivers on how to reduce risk factors, including communication techniques, home modifications and lifestyle changes.
via Alzheimer’s Foundation of America Releases New DVD on Preventing Falls.
Posted on July 23, 2010 | No Comments | Category: Alzheimer's, Caregiving, Dementia | Tags: Alzheimer's, Caregiving, Dementia, family caregiving
Play deals with challenges of autism
Main Line Media News
“Love and Communication,” a new play about a family dealing with a child’s autism diagnosis will get a staged reading in Philadelphia after winning a national competition. One of playwright James Christy Jr.’s three children is autistic.
This Saturday afternoon, a new play by Main Line native James Christy Jr. will receive a staged reading in Center City.
“Love and Communication” has an ambitious theme: it focuses on the struggles of a husband and wife after their son is diagnosed with autism.
Christy, who now lives in Princeton, is one of the six winners of the annual competition sponsored by PlayPenn, an organization for new play development. Each year, PlayPenn holds a national competition to select the most promising works in progress.
The playwrights are then given the unusual opportunity for two weeks of intensive work on their plays, culminating in a staged reading.
The theme of Christy’s play has deep personal meaning for him. Of his three children, the oldest, Jimmy, who is now 7, was diagnosed with autism at age 3.
via Main Line Media News.
Posted on July 21, 2010 | No Comments | Category: Autism, Caregiving | Tags: Autism, children with Autism, marriage, parents, Philadelphia, spouse, theatre
Caregiving spouses of Alzheimer’s patients put own health at risk
Sacramento Bee
Jackie Hackbart is a caregiver under stress.
She can’t leave her husband, Bob, 82, who suffers from dementia, alone in their Citrus Heights town house – and she can’t leave him with a sitter, because he forgets where she’s gone and gets distressed.
Since the retired chemical engineer’s diagnosis in 2005, dementia has robbed him not only of memory and cognition, but also of independence. In many ways, it’s robbed his wife of her independence, too.
“The past five years have been a challenge,” said Hackbart, 78, a retired dietitian. “Mostly, I try to keep a stiff upper lip.”
But the stiff upper lip exacts a steep toll: Hackbart has been hospitalized twice in the past year for gastrointestinal bleeding, most recently in March.
Posted on July 19, 2010 | No Comments | Category: Alzheimer's, Caregiving | Tags: Alzheimer's, Caregiving, family caregiving
Man with autism starts dog treat business
Rocklin & Roseville Today
I hear dogs love them.
David Shunkey of Albuquerque, New Mexico, makes Peanut Butter Puppy Bites, which are crisp canine treats shaped to resemble dog bones. Like any upstart business owner would, Shunkey has been getting his small business off the ground, looking for markets, and refining his recipe. The only difference is this businessman has autism.
A National Institutes of Health website defines autism as causing “severe and pervasive impairment in thinking, feeling, language, and the ability to relate to others.” Its severity ranges over a wide spectrum.
“David is nonverbal,” said Heather Gooch, who is program manager of supportive employment with Community Options in Albuquerque. She spoke for Shunkey with his permission. “He knows sign language and can understand more than he can sign. We also read his facial expressions and body language, and he uses different sounds to communicate. He has a speech language pathologist on his team and they have developed a communication dictionary to document his sound and hand movements. So if there is someone new working with him, they know how to communicate with him.”
Community Options has an on-site job coach helping Shunkey with marketing, baking, and selling. His dog treats are all natural, and include whole wheat flour, unbleached white flour, corn meal, rolled oats, eggs, safflower oil, vanilla, and peanut butter.
via Person with Autism Starts Business – Roseville California News including Rocklin & Placer County.
Posted on July 19, 2010 | No Comments | Category: Autism, Caregiving | Tags: adults with autism, Autism, Caregiving, employment
Children with autism respond to horses, hippotherapy
WICZ
Before he started riding lessons with Elvis the horse, Jaden Farnham didn’t say much.
“He just said words, not a lot of sentences,” said his grandfather, Bob Farnham.
Now…
“Tell her what you do at the creek with Elvis,” urges farm owner Linda Fargnoli.
“I throw stones and I see fish,” answered Jaden.
Laurie McNulty had trouble talking and connecting with people outside her immediate family.
“She’s a lot more affectionate,” says her mom, Cathy McNulty. “She seems a little more confident.”
And Max Markosky didn’t speak.
“That moment when he said that sentence, ‘I want ball, please,’ everybody around the horse that was walking with him just was astounded,” said his mom, Catherine Markosky. “They just fell over.”
These are the stories you’ll hear at Fargnoli Farms.
Posted on July 15, 2010 | No Comments | Category: Autism, Caregiving | Tags: animals, Autism, children with Autism
Maria y Yo – Documentary on life with an autistic child
YouTube
via YouTube – tráiler MARIA Y YO.
Maria Y Yo (Maria and Me), is a Spanish documentary based on the illustrated book by award-winning illustrator Miguel Gallardin in which he tells the story of life with his 14-year-old autistic daughter.
Here’s a Washington Post interview with Gallardin. He talks about how his art changed as Maria’s autism emerged, and how his drawings are now a way to communicate with her.
Posted on July 14, 2010 | No Comments | Category: Autism, Caregiving | Tags: art, Autism, children with Autism, movie, Spain
Arts 4 Alzheimer’s draws relief for patients and caregivers
tonic
Even though the disease robs people of their memories and recognitions, there is also a secondary sufferer of Alzheimer’s. Caregivers provide day-to-day help for loved ones battling the disease, but have to stand by and take on the emotional pain, as well.
Providing relief for people with early-stage memory loss, and their caregivers, is the the Arts 4 Alzheimer’s program developed by Tania Becker, president of the board of the Spruill Center in Atlanta with the help of the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Alzheimer’s Association.
via Arts 4 Alzheimer’s Draws Relief For Patients and Caregivers – Tonic.
Posted on July 13, 2010 | No Comments | Category: Alzheimer's, Caregiving, Dementia | Tags: Alzheimer's, art, Dementia
Alzheimer’s experts: Don’t hesitate to get paid help
USA Today
Marilyn Blum is like a lot of wives with a retired husband around the house. She loves the man she has been married to for 33 years but says, “It’s just not normal to be together 24/7.”
Blum’s comment is more poignant when she explains that her husband, Steve, 65, has had Alzheimer’s disease for five years and needs help dressing, grooming, eating and using the toilet.
“I wish I had gotten paid help right away. I waited two years,” says Blum, 61, of Owings Mills, Md.
Now Steve participates in an adult day care program. A paid companion, Evadne Cummins, visits the house three times a week to keep Steve company, make lunch, go on walks and help with basic grooming.
via Alzheimer’s experts: Don’t hesitate to get paid help – USATODAY.com.
Posted on July 13, 2010 | No Comments | Category: Alzheimer's, Caregiving, Dementia | Tags: adult daycare, Alzheimer's, family caregiving, respite care