Thursday, December 31, 2009

Goodbye 2009

 I've been puttering around this morning with Pogo, hemming some slacks, and preparing a ham and scalloped potato casserole in my crock pot to take to our apartment's New Year's Eve potluck dinner.

Jim is busy trying out a new venture.....making his own flat breads.  He used the bread maker to mix the dough, and now he's starting the grilling process. It really will be nice if he can get this mastered, as we enjoy our luncheon wraps, and this would be a real cost savings.

Here's the first one off the griddle...tastes delicious!


 

Monday, December 28, 2009

ALMOST BACK TO MY NORMAL

It seems to take a couple of days to recuperate from any activity such as a family gathering, but I seem to be back on track today, and have even enjoyed several games of canasta in Pogo.  

I was also able to put the finishing touches to my presentation for the Changing Melody Forum on April 10th.  They needed my final copy emailed to them so it could be included in the Information Booklet that each person will receive.  

I was reading through some stuff on the Ontario Alzheimer's website, and came across this article, which I had forgotten all about.  Click here.


And now.....back to a relaxing game in Pogo.

Sunday, December 27, 2009

RELAXING BY THE FIRE

We had a wonderful Christmas Day with our family, and the weatherman cooperated beautifully by keeping our rain in the liquid form, rather than the freezing rain that was forecast.

I did have to resort to wearing my headphones a fair bit.  Seven excited grandkids under the age of 8 opening Christmas presents puts a whole new meaning on 'noise'.  I imagine there were a few other adults there wishing I had some spare headphones with me.

We spent most of yesterday just relaxing and enjoying our fire.



This is from a DVD.  We have the option of listening to some lovely Christmas music, or just listen to the crackling of the fire.  It's truly amazing how warm and cozy you feel watching the flames curl around the logs. 

Friday, December 25, 2009

MERRY CHRISTMAS

I wish you all a day of happiness and many special moments to treasure all year.

Jim and I are sharing Christmas with our two Ontario sons and nine of the grandkids this afternoon at Newcastle.  Hopefully the freezing rain holds off long enough for us all to arrive there safely.  


I'm thinking I might pack a change of clothes for us, just in case we find ourselves iced in.  I understand a 35 pound turkey has been invited to the feast, so we certainly won't go hungry.

Monday, December 21, 2009

The excitement in my life!

We had decided this year it was time to simplify things for me, and we gave each son a cheque to buy a family gift.  Yesterday, while downstairs doing laundry, another resident was telling me about all the gifts she had gotten for the grandkids.  Hearing the excitement in her voice, I decided we really needed to go out and buy one gift for each of the seven little grandkids we'll be spending Christmas with.  I really needed some of that excitement!

After speaking to one of our sons, it was decided pajamas would be an excellent gift for all of them...and off we went to our local little department store here in Picton, with my list clutched tightly in my fingers. 

I would locate just the right thing for one of the kids, with the perfect hockey design or little Princess emblem, but it would be in the wrong size for the child I was thinking of.  At the end of half an hour, my brain was totally scrambled, and Jim brought me home to recuperate. 

I did end up with seven pairs of pj's....hopefully in the correct size.....and I got all the shopping excitement I needed this Christmas!

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Life is Fun

We've had fun this week customizing my walker.  When I got the walker it had the front basket with liner, which is where I've been keeping my reusable shopping bags.

I was always concerned about my purse sitting loose in the front basket, where anyone could grab it.  So Jim permanently installed a purse on my handlebars, using nuts, bolts and washers.  

He also installed two stainless steel cabinet knobs, one on each side, to hang my shopping bags from.


Also on the handles I have a Jolly Jumper Stroller Caddy with pockets for my coffee or water, mitts, keys, and kleenex.


I'm definitely going to be the envy of the "Rollator World".






Wednesday, December 16, 2009

2010 Olympic Torch Relay

We had the chance of a lifetime yesterday of joining in the festivities of the torch relay when it arrived here in Picton, on its way to Vancouver, BC.
We checked out the various exhibits on display and picked up some free stuff. My walker is now adorned with flashing Activity pins, Canadian flags and Olympic flags. There was two hours of entertainment including dancers, singers and bands.
After an hour spent out in the winds and freezing weather, we managed to find a warm spot inside the Community Center to sit and watch the festivities on the big screen, and enjoy a hot coffee. We made a dash back out beside the grandstand when the flame arrived, and joined in all cheering and excitement.



I spent the remainder of the day snoozing and trying to get my brain to quit shuddering.  It seems to be back on track this morning!

Monday, December 14, 2009

I'm BACK

OK....here we are.....in my new and improved site.

As you can see I've added all the information I had gathered over the last four years, which I had on special pages on my website.

Hopefully this website will serve me better....and won't lose my dates!

TIPS AND TRICKS

I am always discovering new ways to make life easier and less confusing for me. I will be adding to these tips as I discover them.

SHOWERING
Showering tends to overload my brain.......the onslaught of the water on my body...and the noise.
I’ve discovered I can sit on a shower chair...in the tub....out of range of the water....and slowly put each body part under the spray. I also wear ear plugs during the shower. I have removed all the various containers of soaps, body washes, shampoos and conditioners, which just got me confused. I now have one container sitting on the bathtub edge.....and I use it to shampoo with as well as wash my body.

ARRANGING CLOTHES
It is common knowledge a person with dementia has trouble making decisions. This became a real task when trying to dress each morning. I now have all my clothes hanging in sets.....a pair of slacks and a top to match....or a pair of shorts with a top. My undies are in one drawer and my socks are in another. So each morning....I just grab a pair of undies, a pair of socks and a coat hanger...which has a set of clothes on it. No decisions....and leaves my brain less confused for the rest of the day’s activities.

PRE-MIXED COFFEE
Since I’m the only coffee drinker in the house, I use instant coffee (I know...yuck eh?) I also use powdered whitener and packets of artificial sweetener. You would be surprised at how much brain power is required to open each container, spoon out the required amount, put the lid back on the right container, etc. I now have a lovely sealed bottle.... which I fill half full with whitener, the other half with coffee, and add 20 packets of sweetener to the mixture. Now when I want a cup of coffee...I just get one heaping tablespoonfull of the mixture and add boiling water.

MEDICATIONS

We have purchased 3 Dosett containers. These have 7 days, with 4 compartments in each day. Every three weeks we fill up the Dosetts. Jim has installed an alarm clock on my laptop (which is usually within hearing distance), and we have my pill times programmed into the alarm clock. Jim also has these pill times programmed into his computer, and double checks that I remembered to take my pills when the alarm went off!


BRAIN RESTS

I've found after each task I set myself to, that if I sit quietly for even half an hour, my brain will recuperate....the fog will clear. I go at each task slowly...step by step....and usually can get through it fine.

SAGE AND LEMON BALM FOR DEMENTIA

Sage, lemon balm may be future treatments for Alzheimer's
Extracts of sage and lemon balm appear to improve memory and reduce agitation in a preliminary study of people with dementia, said researchers at a conference in the UK last week.
The team from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne said that based on the results, both herbs are worth pursuing as potential treatments for both cognitive and non-cognitive symptoms caused by dementia.
Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia and affects an estimated 10 million people worldwide. Many of the current drugs taken to treat the disease, such as donepezil, have unpleasant side effects and doctors are keen to find alternatives. The ageing population presents an urgent need for better treatments.
Both sage and lemon balm have previously been shown to improve memory and/or reduce agitation, and possess a range of relevant cholinergic and non-cholinergic activities.
The Newcastle researchers prepared plant extracts with the best possible standardised bioactivity, and tested them in controlled trials in normal volunteers and in Alzheimer's patients.
In controlled trials in normal volunteers, both extracts improved memory, and lemon balm also improved mood. Lemon balm reduced agitation and improved quality of life in people with Alzheimer's.
The effects of sage on the disease are currently under investigation, and preliminary data indicate significant effects on attention and behaviour. Both species of plant were extremely well tolerated both by volunteers and Alzheimer's patients, and there were minimal, or no, side effects, reported the researchers, speaking at a Faculty of the Psychiatry of Old Age annual meeting in Liverpool.
Newcastle researchers have previously reported that healthy, young adults who took sage oil capsules performed significantly better in a word recall test than those who took placebo pills.
And last year researchers from King's College London said they had found four compounds isolated from an extract of sage root to be acetylcholinesterase inhibitors. This is the same pharmacological action as drugs marketed to treat Alzheimer's disease.



http://www.nutraingredients.com/Research/Sage-lemon-balm-may-be-future-treatments-for-Alzheimer-s

EARLY ONSET ALZHEIMERS DISEASE

WHAT IS IT?

Living With Early-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer's disease is a progressive brain disorder in which nerve cells in the brain (neurons) degenerate and die, making it difficult for the brain's signals to be transmitted properly. A person with Alzheimer's disease has problems with memory, judgment and thinking, which makes it hard for the person to work or take part in day-to-day family and social life. Changes in mood, personality and behavior also may occur.
There are two basic types of Alzheimer's disease: early-onset Alzheimer's disease and late-onset Alzheimer's disease. Late-onset Alzheimer's disease is the much more common type, generally beginning after age 65.
What is early-onset Alzheimer's disease?
This is a rare form of Alzheimer's disease in which individuals are diagnosed with the disease before age 65, usually in their 40s and 50s. Less than five percent of all Alzheimer's disease patients have this type. It is often said that it is less than two percent. Symptoms of early-onset Alzheimer's disease are similar to those of late-onset Alzheimer's disease, but the person often is still active with work, family and social activities when the symptoms begin. Symptoms of Alzheimer's disease include:
• Memory loss
• Confusion
• Restlessness
• Misplacing things
• Trouble performing familiar tasks
• Changes in personality and behavior
• Poor or decreased judgment
• Impaired communication
• Inability to follow directions
• Problems with language
• Impaired visuospatial skills
• Emotional apathy
• Social withdrawal and less willingness to interact with others
• Loss of motivation or initiative
What are the differences between early-onset and late-onset Alzheimer's disease?
In addition to age, there are other differences between early-onset and late-onset Alzheimer's disease, including:
• Younger people who develop Alzheimer's disease tend to have more of the microscopic changes found in the brains of people with Alzheimer's disease. These changes include twisted nerve cell fibers, known as neurofibrillary tangles, and a sticky protein called beta amyloid, which forms structures called plaques. Plaques and tangles damage the healthy brain cells that surround them, causing the brain to waste away and shrink. Some experts believe that younger brains need to suffer more damage before the person starts to show symptoms, so this may not reflect a true difference in the nature of the disease.
• A substantial majority of early onset Alzheimer's disease appears to be linked with a genetic defect on chromosome 14, to which late-onset Alzheimer's is not linked.
• A condition called myoclonus — muscle twitching and spasm — is more commonly seen in early-onset Alzheimer's disease than in late-onset Alzheimer's disease.
• Some research suggests that people with early-onset Alzheimer's disease decline at a faster rate than do those with late-onset Alzheimer's disease.
• Younger people who are diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease tend to be more physically fit and active, and many still have family and career responsibilities. As a result, they tend to react differently to the disease, and may be more likely to feel powerless, frustrated and depressed.
Tips for living with early-onset Alzheimer's disease
People with early-onset Alzheimer's disease must understand that life is not over. While it's true that your life will change, particularly as the disease progresses, there are things you can do to maintain a meaningful and productive life. It is especially important to continue with activities and interests you can still enjoy, and take comfort in the support of friends and family.
Here are some tips for living with Alzheimer's disease:
Yourself
• Alzheimer's disease affects each person differently. You will have good days and bad days. Try to maximize the good days and not dwell on the bad days.
• Remember, you are not alone. Consider joining a support group. Call your local chapter of the Alzheimer's Association for information on support groups for people with early-onset Alzheimer's disease.
• Don't keep your fears and feelings inside. Seek professional counseling, and/or share your feelings with your friends, family or a clergy member.
• Take care of yourself. Get regular check-ups, and follow your doctor's recommendations about diet, exercise and taking medications.
Family and friends
• Talk openly with your spouse about issues that are important to you, such as finances, household and child-rearing responsibilities, and sexual intimacy. Look toward future care-giving needs, and try to make plans and decisions together, ahead of time. Encourage your spouse to join a caregiver's support group.
• Talk openly with your children about the disease and your symptoms. Understand that your disease affects your children, as well. In addition to being concerned about you, your children may have understandable fears about developing Alzheimer's disease themselves. When appropriate, include your children in making decisions that affect the whole family. Encourage them to become involved in a support group. Consider recording your thoughts, feelings, wisdom and memories, so you may pass them on to your children.
• Don't tune out your friends. Share your experience of living with Alzheimer's disease. Stay as active as possible for as long as possible. Invite your friends to attend educational programs about Alzheimer's disease.
Career
• As your disease progresses, you may find job-related tasks more difficult to perform. Plan when and what you will tell your employer about the disease, and at what point you should no longer work.
• Make adjustments so that you may continue to work as long as possible. This will help to maintain your income and independence, and boost your self-esteem. Consider asking to be placed in a position that better matches your skills and capabilities, or to reduce your work hours.
• Investigate all possible options, including early retirement, as well as ways to access all benefits available to you through your employer.
Financial and legal matters
• Plan ahead for financial needs, knowing that eventually you will have to leave your job and will lose income. Meet with a financial counselor who can help you investigate insurance, investments and other financial options.
• Talk with your family and doctor about what medical treatments you want to receive in the event you become unable to communicate your wishes. You may wish to prepare an advance directive, a legal document that outlines your wishes for future medical treatment.
• Organize all of your financial and legal documents, as well as other important information (insurance policies, Social Security information, wills, etc.) in one place, and let your spouse and/or children know where to find them.
© Copyright 1995-2006 The Cleveland Clinic Foundation. All rights reserved
www.clevelandclinic.org/health/.

Friday, December 11, 2009

Since I'm having so much trouble with my simplesite.com website, I'm going to start writing my journal entries back on this site starting January, 2010.

I'm so sad that simplesite.com has lost all the dates in my Journal. What's the point in keeping a journal if you have no dates!!!