Caregiving

A Grandparent's Decline Can be Frightening to a Child

I had a terrible cold on the 4th of July when I was 6. I had to miss the celebration, but I wasn't too sad because Dad promised I could use my sparklers when I was well.  

A few days later, completely over my cold, I visited Grandma and my two aunts. Grandma spent most of her time in bed and my aunts took care of her.  

I excitedly announced I was going to use my sparklers that night!

My Grandma called to my aunts, asking if it was the 4th of July. I was stunned. Adults were supposed to know everything. For Grandma to WONDER if it was a holiday was unthinkable!

I didn't tell anyone that I was scared by what Grandma said. And no one noticed that I was no longer excited about my sparkers….

As an adult I wrote the story of Johnny, a little boy who thinks his grandmother doesn't love him anymore because she is acting strangely. Mommy explains about Grandma's illness in a way that comforts Johnny.

I hope the book, Special Secret Hearts: A Child's Introduction to Dementia, will help parents cope with their children's fears about aging family members.

Special Secret Hearts is part of a 2 in 1 book illustrated by children for children.

You can read an excerpt here: http://wwwhttp://booklocker.com/6401

See my books on Amazon here: http://amzn.to/KhvXA8

 

UK Tests New Drug for Alzheimer's

The United Kingdom is beginning a human study of a treatment that may reverse Alzheimer's. The drug, ORY-2001, which was successfully tested on mice, repairs certain DNA.
 

You can read more about the trial here:

https://www.medindia.net/news/first-human-trials-of-alzheimers-drug-179790-1.htm

 

ALZHEIMER'S: THE LONGEST DAY

 

 

The Alzheimer's Association reminds us that June 21, 2018 is the longest day of the year. It's also the day that volunteers work (and play) to raise money to help people with Alzheimer's.

Now is the time to get organized to participate.

In previous years, participants have danced, hiked, performed music, bowled, played bridge, quilted, gardened, golfed, and so much more!

More information about activities is here: http://act.alz.org/site/TR?fr_id=10935&pg=informational&sid=24696

If you're not sure what to do, here is a form to request a coach to help you decide:

https://act.alz.org/site/SSurvey?ACTION_REQUIRED=URI_ACTION_USER_REQUESTS&SURVEY_ID=51334

 

Elder Abuse: Isolation

 

Elder abuse can take many forms. "Isolating elderly persons from their friends and family" is one type of abuse.

https://www.encyclopedia.com/caregiving/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/elder-abuse

The adult children of Mickey Rooney, Casey Kasem, and Glen Campbell accused their caregivers of isolating them. They recently testified in Michigan and Maryland in support of visitation rights legislation.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/politics/bs-md-visitation-bill-20180227-story.html
 
https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2018/02/13/elder-visitation-legislation-michigan/110376440/

 http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2018/02/28/parents-visitation-bill-maryland/