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Insulin Overdose - Feline Diabetes
Article courtesy of Pet Alive
Some of the important aspects of caring for your diabetic cat at home include understanding:
* Symptoms of diabetes in cats
* Timings and regularity of check ups
* Quality, amount and timing of meals
* Testing blood sugar levels at home and making a blood glucose curve
* Regularity of insulin injections and the manner in which to inject them
* Type of insulin to be used and the right syringe to inject it with
* The manner in which changes in diet and type of insulin should be made
Related ProductsGlucoEnsure - Helps keep blood sugar and insulin levels within normal range
While all the above are important, knowing the peak action of the insulin that has been prescribed is equally significant. Ignorance on this aspect of home care can lead to hypoglycemic episodes. Hypoglycemia is the opposite of hyperglycemia. It is abnormally low level of sugar in the blood. While hyperglycemia is manageable, hypoglycemia may be difficult to control unless immediate action is taken. A slight oversight can result in the death of the cat.
Adequate control of diabetes in cats requires long-lasting insulin injections once or twice a day. Individual cats respond to insulin differently. Once the veterinarian has fixed a dose after studying the blood glucose curve, it should not be disturbed since a higher dose or a missed meal can be dangerous.
Knowing the lowest level of blood sugar in your pet is necessary because you may be tempted to increase the dose on the basis of pre-injection glucose level. On the other hand even if the pre-injection level of blood sugar is high it can still drop to abnormally low level after the injection. Adjusting insulin dosage without knowing all the data and information about the type of insulin and its correlation to diet is something that you should never do.
Symptoms of low blood sugar include listlessness, confusion, convulsions and coma. If hypoglycemia develops there is no room for complacence. If the cat is able to eat then it should be fed its normal food immediately. If feeding is not possible the next best thing is to rub corn syrup on the gums. Attempts should be made for the cat to swallow it. Forcing fingers, foods and fluids into the mouth of a convulsing or comatose cat is not the right thing to do. Such actions can harm your cat to a large extent.
Cats that are otherwise healthy can be treated for hypoglycemia with oral medications like Glipzide. Glipizide acts to lower blood glucose and has little or no side effects. Some of the side effects that may surface in some cats include vomiting, loss of appetite and liver damage. If the condition persist even after two months of glipzide or the cat develops acute acidity (ketoacidosis), the drug should be discontinued and the cat should be put back on insulin.
Cats that require excessively high doses of insulin (more than one to two units per pound per day) should be checked for some underlying disease that might be behind the need for an increased insulin dosage. Sometimes the insulin injection and poor absorption may be the reason why your cat needs higher doses of insulin.
Related ProductsGlucoEnsure - Helps keep blood sugar and insulin levels within normal range
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14 Mayıs 2012 Pazartesi
Alzheimer's Revelation, Live Your Life
To contact us Click HERE
I decided that Dotty and I would start doing the things that we enjoyed doing together.
By Bob DeMarco
If you don't see the podcast go here.
Text version of this podcast.
This is Bob DeMarco founder of the Alzheimer’s Reading Room.com.
In the past few months, I did 33 television and radio interviews. These interviews helped me to refine my views on Alzheimer’s caregiving.
Often the interviewers want to know what tips I have for caregivers.
Everything I learned so far centers around one central theme. A single idea that came to me late one night.
I wrote my idea down on a pad. I wrote.
We will start living our life the way we always had.
I remember thinking at the time that this was an important Revelation.
Several years later, I now know and understand this is the single most important decision I ever made.
It was simple really. I decided that Dotty and I would start doing the things that we enjoyed doing together before she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.
I thought this would be easy to execute. I soon learned that I was wrong.
As it turned out, most of the time when I suggested to Dotty that we go to the pool or something like that she would say NO. The first thing I had to do was work my way around this. It wasn’t easy. In fact, I gave up more than once.
It took more than a year for me to learn not to accept NO for an answer. At least another year to develop patterns that allowed us to do things -- even though Dotty was still saying NO.
This one thing keep me going. I knew what Dotty enjoyed doing. I knew what made her happy and I knew that most of these activities would benefit her. I was also hoping that by engaging in normal activities it would help slow the progression of the Alzheimer’s disease.
I started refusing to take NO for an answer.
Not in any mean spirited way. In fact, in a very gentle, loving, caring way. I learned how to smile when she said no, and how to talk in a low confident voice.
What I stopped doing was -- getting frustrated and all bent out of shape.
I learned how to take her by the hand, and lead. Interestingly and happily, she started to follow. Follow even while continuing to say NO.
Many of you saw the video where I take Dotty to the pool. You noticed she continued to say NO all the way to the pool, and even when she was starting to get into the pool.
I lead her there with a smile on my face. By holding her hand. And, by occasionally touching my head to her head and saying something positive in a very low loving caring voice. These days, Dotty usually smiles at me when I do this. That was not the case in the beginning.
It took me more than a year to get Dotty to the pool. And it took many months before I could get her into the water.
I finally learned a technique that worked. No cajoling. Just a constant reminder that she is going to enjoy what we are going to do. I hold her hand and I lead her through the steps it takes to reach our final objective.
The key word here. I lead. I lead with my hand and with my eyes wide open.
I learned this. You don’t need to try hard. You need to relax, be patient and lead.
Sooner or later they will follow your lead.
Remember this. If they enjoyed doing something before Alzheimer’s they will still enjoy that activity now.
Don’t forget to get on the yellow brick road. Ignore the wicked witch called Alzheimer’s disease. If you ignore the disease long enough you’ll find that sometimes it is not even there.
Be gentle. Lead.
Live your life.
Original content Bob DeMarco, the Alzheimer's Reading Room
Read More on the Alzheimer's Reading Room
By Bob DeMarco
If you don't see the podcast go here.
Text version of this podcast.
This is Bob DeMarco founder of the Alzheimer’s Reading Room.com.
In the past few months, I did 33 television and radio interviews. These interviews helped me to refine my views on Alzheimer’s caregiving.
Often the interviewers want to know what tips I have for caregivers.
Everything I learned so far centers around one central theme. A single idea that came to me late one night.
I wrote my idea down on a pad. I wrote.
We will start living our life the way we always had.
I remember thinking at the time that this was an important Revelation.
Several years later, I now know and understand this is the single most important decision I ever made.
It was simple really. I decided that Dotty and I would start doing the things that we enjoyed doing together before she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.
I thought this would be easy to execute. I soon learned that I was wrong.
As it turned out, most of the time when I suggested to Dotty that we go to the pool or something like that she would say NO. The first thing I had to do was work my way around this. It wasn’t easy. In fact, I gave up more than once.
It took more than a year for me to learn not to accept NO for an answer. At least another year to develop patterns that allowed us to do things -- even though Dotty was still saying NO.
This one thing keep me going. I knew what Dotty enjoyed doing. I knew what made her happy and I knew that most of these activities would benefit her. I was also hoping that by engaging in normal activities it would help slow the progression of the Alzheimer’s disease.
I started refusing to take NO for an answer.
Not in any mean spirited way. In fact, in a very gentle, loving, caring way. I learned how to smile when she said no, and how to talk in a low confident voice.
What I stopped doing was -- getting frustrated and all bent out of shape.
I learned how to take her by the hand, and lead. Interestingly and happily, she started to follow. Follow even while continuing to say NO.
Many of you saw the video where I take Dotty to the pool. You noticed she continued to say NO all the way to the pool, and even when she was starting to get into the pool.
I lead her there with a smile on my face. By holding her hand. And, by occasionally touching my head to her head and saying something positive in a very low loving caring voice. These days, Dotty usually smiles at me when I do this. That was not the case in the beginning.
It took me more than a year to get Dotty to the pool. And it took many months before I could get her into the water.
I finally learned a technique that worked. No cajoling. Just a constant reminder that she is going to enjoy what we are going to do. I hold her hand and I lead her through the steps it takes to reach our final objective.
The key word here. I lead. I lead with my hand and with my eyes wide open.
I learned this. You don’t need to try hard. You need to relax, be patient and lead.
Sooner or later they will follow your lead.
Remember this. If they enjoyed doing something before Alzheimer’s they will still enjoy that activity now.
Don’t forget to get on the yellow brick road. Ignore the wicked witch called Alzheimer’s disease. If you ignore the disease long enough you’ll find that sometimes it is not even there.
Be gentle. Lead.
Live your life.
Original content Bob DeMarco, the Alzheimer's Reading Room
Read More on the Alzheimer's Reading Room
- Communicating in Alzheimer's World
- What’s the Difference Between Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia
- How the Loss of Memory Works in Alzheimer’s Disease, and How Understanding This Could Help You
- Learning How to Communicate with Someone Suffering From Alzheimer's Disease
- What is Alzheimer's Disease?
- What is Dementia?
- Alzheimer's World -- Trying to Reconnect with Someone Suffering from Alzheimer's Disease
- Advice and Insight -- Alzheimer's Reading Room
- Dementia and the Eight Types of Dementia
 The Alzheimer's Action Plan |  300 Tips for Making Life Easier |
I Forgot My Mother Has Alzheimer's
To contact us Click HERE
In Alzheimer's World, Dotty is the person I always knew. Sure, her brain is sick. But, once I started treating Dotty like the person I always knew, she rewarded me by becoming kinder, gentler, and more cooperative.
By Bob DeMarco
Alzheimer's Reading Room
If you want to get some good insight into how I rewired my brain and became a more effective Alzheimer's caregiver I suggest you take the time to read these two article:Alzheimer's and the Wiring of My Brain, and Rewiring My Brain and Stepping into Alzheimer's World.
I'm not sure when I actually started to forget that Dotty lives with Alzheimer's.
Read the entire story here.
In Alzheimer's World, Dotty is the person I always knew. Sure, her brain is sick. But, once I started treating Dotty like the person I always knew, she rewarded me by becoming kinder, gentler, and more cooperative.
By Bob DeMarco
Alzheimer's Reading Room
 |
| Learning How to Communicate with Someone Suffering From Dementia |
I'm not sure when I actually started to forget that Dotty lives with Alzheimer's.
Read the entire story here.
Why is this happening? What can I do?
To contact us Click HERE
If you are not actively searching for solutions, you are part of the problem.
By Bob DeMarco
Alzheimer's Reading Room
Yesterday I read what I considered to be a rather nasty complaint from an Alzheimer's caregiver. The caregiver complained that her father ruined Christmas for everyone especially her because he was grouchy and yelling at the kids.
I conjured up an image of what it would be like for someone living with Alzheimer's to be exposed to a bunch of unruly kids running around and yelling and screaming.
I asked myself, what would my reaction be? Well if the kids were playing and having a good time, I might smile. On the other hand, if the kids were being loud and rude, I might be thinking something like, why don't their parents step in and ask them to behave?
But, if I saw someone living with dementia that was clearly distress about the behavior of the kids and acting out, I know exactly what I would do.
First, I would move the person to another room or another area of the house. No, I would not leave them alone, and no, I would not put them in front of a television.
In our home, I would move them to the kitchen area and I would have one or more adults sit and talk with them. I might suggest some discussion around pictures, or old times.
This situation reminded me of the many times that Dotty and I have visited the Banana Boat in Boynton Beach.
As we walk up the ramp to the outside bar area I can feel Dotty starting to hold back. Two things are happening. First, it is starting to get noisy. Second, Dotty is starting to see what must look to her like a wild and crazy group of people.
As we move into the outdoor area I can actually feel Dotty starting to withdraw. She moves forward with great reluctance, her feet start dragging, and she starts to shrink. It is like she is getting ready to fall over on her face.
A quick look at her face would tell you that she is either confused, worried, or ready to turn around and go back in the other direction (go home).
In order to deal with this I have to talk to Dotty in a low calm voice and offer lots of positive encouragement. I reinforce her by reassuring her I am there, and nothing bad is going to happen.
We now have good luck because many of the people know Dotty, and the first thing that happens is that they start to meet her with great enthusiasm and a smile on their face.
There is never a seat available but I know that someone is either going to get up and give Dotty their seat, or someone is going to be told to get up and give Dotty their seat.
Two things I never do. First, I never sit Dotty way up in the front where the live music is loud, and the hustle and bustle is the at the highest level. Two, I seat Dotty so that she is not facing the hustle and bustle and is looking directly across at people who are seated.
When we first started going to the Banana Boat, Dotty would ask constantly, when are we going home? Now, one hundred percent of the time when I say to Dotty, time to go home, she asks me why we are leaving?
And now to the point the point of this article.
Did the person living with Alzheimer's ruin the day for his family? Or, did the woman who complained that he ruined the day, ruin the day for him?
Why don't more Alzheimer's caregivers ask themselves, why is this happening? Or, what can I do about this? Instead of complaining.
I learned it is a lot easier to examine the source of a problem, and then change the dynamic to resolve the problem. In this case, move a person living with dementia to a less stress filled area.
I think many of us know that Alzheimer's patients don't like excessive noise, and excessive stimuli (too many people in one confined area).
I also know that many caregivers conclude they cannot take a person suffering from Alzheimer's to large family gatherings, or into large groups.
If you fall into this category ask yourself why not? Learn to massage any and all environments to make them dementia friendly.
There are problems and their are solutions for persons living with dementia.
If you are not actively searching for solutions you are part of the problem.
I am convinced that the vast majority of Alzheimer's caregivers want to be part of the solution.
Like me you might think, something has to change. In my case I finally learned that something was me.
http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/2011/12/why-is-this-happening-what-can-i-do.html
By Bob DeMarco Alzheimer's Reading Room
Yesterday I read what I considered to be a rather nasty complaint from an Alzheimer's caregiver. The caregiver complained that her father ruined Christmas for everyone especially her because he was grouchy and yelling at the kids.
I conjured up an image of what it would be like for someone living with Alzheimer's to be exposed to a bunch of unruly kids running around and yelling and screaming.
I asked myself, what would my reaction be? Well if the kids were playing and having a good time, I might smile. On the other hand, if the kids were being loud and rude, I might be thinking something like, why don't their parents step in and ask them to behave?
But, if I saw someone living with dementia that was clearly distress about the behavior of the kids and acting out, I know exactly what I would do.
First, I would move the person to another room or another area of the house. No, I would not leave them alone, and no, I would not put them in front of a television.
In our home, I would move them to the kitchen area and I would have one or more adults sit and talk with them. I might suggest some discussion around pictures, or old times.
| Subscribe to the Alzheimer's Reading Room |
This situation reminded me of the many times that Dotty and I have visited the Banana Boat in Boynton Beach.
As we walk up the ramp to the outside bar area I can feel Dotty starting to hold back. Two things are happening. First, it is starting to get noisy. Second, Dotty is starting to see what must look to her like a wild and crazy group of people.
As we move into the outdoor area I can actually feel Dotty starting to withdraw. She moves forward with great reluctance, her feet start dragging, and she starts to shrink. It is like she is getting ready to fall over on her face.
A quick look at her face would tell you that she is either confused, worried, or ready to turn around and go back in the other direction (go home).
In order to deal with this I have to talk to Dotty in a low calm voice and offer lots of positive encouragement. I reinforce her by reassuring her I am there, and nothing bad is going to happen.
We now have good luck because many of the people know Dotty, and the first thing that happens is that they start to meet her with great enthusiasm and a smile on their face.
There is never a seat available but I know that someone is either going to get up and give Dotty their seat, or someone is going to be told to get up and give Dotty their seat.
Two things I never do. First, I never sit Dotty way up in the front where the live music is loud, and the hustle and bustle is the at the highest level. Two, I seat Dotty so that she is not facing the hustle and bustle and is looking directly across at people who are seated.
When we first started going to the Banana Boat, Dotty would ask constantly, when are we going home? Now, one hundred percent of the time when I say to Dotty, time to go home, she asks me why we are leaving?
And now to the point the point of this article.
Did the person living with Alzheimer's ruin the day for his family? Or, did the woman who complained that he ruined the day, ruin the day for him?
Why don't more Alzheimer's caregivers ask themselves, why is this happening? Or, what can I do about this? Instead of complaining.
I learned it is a lot easier to examine the source of a problem, and then change the dynamic to resolve the problem. In this case, move a person living with dementia to a less stress filled area.
I think many of us know that Alzheimer's patients don't like excessive noise, and excessive stimuli (too many people in one confined area).
I also know that many caregivers conclude they cannot take a person suffering from Alzheimer's to large family gatherings, or into large groups.
If you fall into this category ask yourself why not? Learn to massage any and all environments to make them dementia friendly.
There are problems and their are solutions for persons living with dementia.
If you are not actively searching for solutions you are part of the problem.
I am convinced that the vast majority of Alzheimer's caregivers want to be part of the solution.
Like me you might think, something has to change. In my case I finally learned that something was me.
http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/2011/12/why-is-this-happening-what-can-i-do.html
Alzheimer's Disease -- Communication Skills and Coping with Behavior
To contact us Click HERE
The Alzheimer's caregiver deals with a disease and behaviors that are difficult, sometimes impossible, to understand.
By Bob DeMarco
Alzheimer's Reading Room
September, 2010
Alzheimer's disease turns the world of the Alzheimer's caregiver upside down.
Imagine a person you know all, or most, of your life and their behavior changes-- suddenly -- and for the worse.
This person, your loved one, begins to act out behaviors that you have never seen or experienced.
You are forced to try and deal with these behaviors. It is not easy.
Continue reading -- Alzheimer's Disease -- Communication Skills and Coping with Behavior
100 Good Reasons to Subscribe to the Alzheimer's Reading Room
Alzheimer's CareGiving -- Insight and Advice Test Your Memory for Alzheimer's (5 Best Self Assessment Tests) Communicating in Alzheimer's World Worried About Alzheimer's Disease -- You Should Be What is Alzheimer's? What are the Eight Types of Dementia? Does the Combination of Aricept and Namenda Help Slow the Rate of Decline in Alzheimer's Patients Alzheimer's Disease Statistics Is it Really Alzheimer's or Something Else? Ten Symptoms of Early Stage Alzheimer's Ten Tips for Communicating with an Alzheimer’s Patient
Alzheimer's Disease -- Communication Skills and Coping with Behavior
The Alzheimer's caregiver deals with a disease and behaviors that are difficult, sometimes impossible, to understand.
By Bob DeMarco
Alzheimer's Reading Room
September, 2010
Alzheimer's disease turns the world of the Alzheimer's caregiver upside down.Imagine a person you know all, or most, of your life and their behavior changes-- suddenly -- and for the worse.
This person, your loved one, begins to act out behaviors that you have never seen or experienced.
You are forced to try and deal with these behaviors. It is not easy.
Continue reading -- Alzheimer's Disease -- Communication Skills and Coping with Behavior
| The Alzheimer's Action Plan | 300 Tips for Making Life Easier |
Alzheimer's Disease -- Communication Skills and Coping with Behavior
Last 20 Alzheimer's Articles
To contact us Click HERE
The Alzheimer's Reading Room is the number one source of information for the entire Alzheimer's community.
The site focuses on Alzheimer's disease, dementia, Alzheimer's caregivers, and the art of Alzheimer's caregiving. Each day, on average, 1,232 people are diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.
This page contains the last 20 articles published on the Alzheimer's Reading Room.
The page updates dynamically, so you can bookmark the page to see the current list in real time.
Last 20 Articles Articles
Our goal is to Educate, offer real solutions to problems, and Empower Alzheimers caregivers and their families.
The site focuses on Alzheimer's disease, dementia, Alzheimer's caregivers, and the art of Alzheimer's caregiving. Each day, on average, 1,232 people are diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.
This page contains the last 20 articles published on the Alzheimer's Reading Room.
The page updates dynamically, so you can bookmark the page to see the current list in real time.
Last 20 Articles Articles
Our goal is to Educate, offer real solutions to problems, and Empower Alzheimers caregivers and their families.
Framework of the National Plan to Address Alzheimer's Disease
To contact us Click HERE
The Draft Framework for the National Plan to Address Alzheimer's Disease.
The draft framework is structured around five ambitious goals:
Read the entire draft here -- Framework of the National Plan to Address Alzheimer's Disease
More Insight and Advice for Caregivers
The Draft Framework for the National Plan to Address Alzheimer's Disease.
The draft framework is structured around five ambitious goals:
- Prevent and Effectively Treat Alzheimer's Disease by 2025.
- Optimize Care Quality and Efficiency.
- Expand Patient and Family Support.
- Enhance Public Awareness and Engagement.
- Track Progress and Drive Improvement.
Goal 1: Prevent and Effectively Treat Alzheimer’s Disease by 2025
Read the entire draft here -- Framework of the National Plan to Address Alzheimer's Disease
More Insight and Advice for Caregivers
- Learning How to Communicate with Someone Suffering From Alzheimer's Disease
- Alzheimer's World -- Trying to Reconnect with Someone Suffering from Alzheimer's Disease
- Does the Combination of Aricept and Namenda Help Slow the Rate of Decline in Alzheimer's Patients
- How Alzheimer's Spreads Throughout the Brain
- Test Your Memory for Alzheimer's (5 Best Self Assessment Tests)
We're Fine: Supporting Families Living With Dementia
To contact us Click HERE
Caregivers speak movingly based on their own experiences directly to others like them on the importance of finding information, obtaining home care and other types of in-house assistance, joining support groups, and accessing respite through day programs and overnight guest houses.
Caregivers appeal to their peers to obtain assistance, and not wait for a crisis to occur.
This is really an excellent video that is worth watching and sharing. If you take the time to let it get rolling you will start to recognize the value.
The clear message is that no caregiver to loved ones with dementia is a superman or superwoman.
If you don't see the video go here.
Read more about Alzheimers and dementia in the Alzheimer's Reading Room
Original content Bob DeMarco, the Caregiver.
Caregivers appeal to their peers to obtain assistance, and not wait for a crisis to occur.
This is really an excellent video that is worth watching and sharing. If you take the time to let it get rolling you will start to recognize the value.
The clear message is that no caregiver to loved ones with dementia is a superman or superwoman.
If you don't see the video go here.
Read more about Alzheimers and dementia in the Alzheimer's Reading Room
Original content Bob DeMarco, the Caregiver.
Love, Loss and Laughter: Seeing Alzheimers Differently, Photo Exhibit Redefines Alzheimer's
To contact us Click HERE
The photographer and author, Cathy Greenblat, PhD, is a sociologist who arguably is the world's leading documentarian of this new approach to Alzheimer's care.
Having lost her mother and maternal grandparents to the disease, she has studied and pictured care in memory clinics, homes, day programs and residential centers around the world.
The photographs depict people with Alzheimer's engaging with friends, loved ones, and caregivers; visiting art museums; singing and playing musical instruments; preparing meals, getting dressed for a day on the town; interacting with pets; or simply enjoying serene moments of contemplation.
Continue reading in the Alzheimer's Reading Room
http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/2012/03/love-loss-and-laughter-seeing.html
Read More on the Alzheimer's Reading Room
Having lost her mother and maternal grandparents to the disease, she has studied and pictured care in memory clinics, homes, day programs and residential centers around the world.
 |
| Love, Loss, and Laughter: Seeing Alzheimer's Differently |
The photographs depict people with Alzheimer's engaging with friends, loved ones, and caregivers; visiting art museums; singing and playing musical instruments; preparing meals, getting dressed for a day on the town; interacting with pets; or simply enjoying serene moments of contemplation.
Continue reading in the Alzheimer's Reading Room
http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/2012/03/love-loss-and-laughter-seeing.html
Read More on the Alzheimer's Reading Room
- How Alzheimer's Spreads Throughout the Brain
- Test Your Memory for Alzheimer's (5 Best Self Assessment Tests)
- What is Alzheimer's Disease?
- What is Dementia?
- What’s the Difference Between Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia
- Communicating in Alzheimers World
- How the Loss of Memory Works in Alzheimer’s Disease, and How Understanding This Could Help You
- Learning How to Communicate with Someone Suffering From Alzheimer's Disease
- Alzheimer's World -- Trying to Reconnect with Someone Suffering from Alzheimer's Disease
- About the Alzheimer's Reading Room
Alzheimers Test, the Alzheimers Questionnaire
To contact us Click HERE
Alzheimer's quiz 90 percent accurate in detecting signs of Alzheimer's disease, dementia, MCI
The Alzheimer's Questionnaire (AQ) should not be used as a definitive guide to diagnosing Alzheimer's disease (AD) or amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI).
However, it is a quick and simple-to-use indicator that may help physicians determine which individuals should be referred for more extensive memory testing.
Right now, personal care physicians (PCP) are not good at diagnosing Alzheimer's or the early stages of dementia. This is understandable.
Continue reading this article in the Alzheimer's Reading Room
http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/2012/02/alzheimers-test-alzheimers.html
The Alzheimer's Questionnaire (AQ) should not be used as a definitive guide to diagnosing Alzheimer's disease (AD) or amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI). However, it is a quick and simple-to-use indicator that may help physicians determine which individuals should be referred for more extensive memory testing.
Right now, personal care physicians (PCP) are not good at diagnosing Alzheimer's or the early stages of dementia. This is understandable.
Continue reading this article in the Alzheimer's Reading Room
http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/2012/02/alzheimers-test-alzheimers.html
| The Alzheimer's Action Plan | 300 Tips for Making Life Easier |
Why Do the Deeply Forgetful Say No So Often
To contact us Click HERE
Did it every occur to you that you are the problem?
By Bob DeMarco
Alzheimer's Reading Room
Most dementia caregivers accept the word "No" from the deeply forgetful. Then they turn around and vent about it to anyone that will listen.
S/he says no all the time, they say.
It is very common for a person that is deeply forgetful to say "no" when you ask them to do something. I don't know why, but it seems like this is a secret to many in the dementia community.
Frankly, I knew for a long time when Dotty said "no" she didn't mean it. Nevertheless, it still drove me crazy, and often made me feel frustrated or angry.
Continue reading, Why Do the Deeply Forgetful Say No So Often, in the Alzheimer's Reading Room
Did it every occur to you that you are the problem?
By Bob DeMarco
Alzheimer's Reading Room
Most dementia caregivers accept the word "No" from the deeply forgetful. Then they turn around and vent about it to anyone that will listen.S/he says no all the time, they say.
It is very common for a person that is deeply forgetful to say "no" when you ask them to do something. I don't know why, but it seems like this is a secret to many in the dementia community.
Frankly, I knew for a long time when Dotty said "no" she didn't mean it. Nevertheless, it still drove me crazy, and often made me feel frustrated or angry.
Continue reading, Why Do the Deeply Forgetful Say No So Often, in the Alzheimer's Reading Room
Why Do Alzheimer's Caregivers Torture Themselves?
To contact us Click HERE
For several years, I tortured myself psychologically and emotionally. To this day I look back and ask myself, why?
By Bob DeMarco
Alzheimer's Reading Room
Alzheimer's is a sinister disease. It robs the patient of the ability to remember, to think, and effects mood and behavior often in a negative way.
Alzheimer's disease (AD) eventually robs the patient of the ability to do things we take for granted -- like buttoning a button.
Alzheimer's often robs patients of the ability to say "yes", so instead they say what comes easiest -- No.
These new and often bizarre changes brought on by Alzheimer's can feel like torture to an Alzheimer's caregiver. This explains in part why a large fraction of caregivers, up to 40 percent, suffer from depression.
The other day I answered a question by saying, "its the job of Alzheimer's to torture you". Later on as I thought about those words, I was surprised that I used the word "torture". Surprised until I remembered that I once thought, "Alzheimer's is trying to kill me". Alzheimer's kills the brain of the person living with Alzheimer's. It will also try and kill the spirit of the Alzheimer's caregiver.
Continue reading, Why Do Alzheimer's Caregivers Torture Themselves?
Bob DeMarco is the editor of the Alzheimer's Reading Room and an Alzheimer's caregiver.
For several years, I tortured myself psychologically and emotionally. To this day I look back and ask myself, why?
By Bob DeMarco
Alzheimer's Reading Room
 |
| Saint Genesius |
Alzheimer's disease (AD) eventually robs the patient of the ability to do things we take for granted -- like buttoning a button.
Alzheimer's often robs patients of the ability to say "yes", so instead they say what comes easiest -- No.
These new and often bizarre changes brought on by Alzheimer's can feel like torture to an Alzheimer's caregiver. This explains in part why a large fraction of caregivers, up to 40 percent, suffer from depression.
The other day I answered a question by saying, "its the job of Alzheimer's to torture you". Later on as I thought about those words, I was surprised that I used the word "torture". Surprised until I remembered that I once thought, "Alzheimer's is trying to kill me". Alzheimer's kills the brain of the person living with Alzheimer's. It will also try and kill the spirit of the Alzheimer's caregiver.
Continue reading, Why Do Alzheimer's Caregivers Torture Themselves?
Bob DeMarco is the editor of the Alzheimer's Reading Room and an Alzheimer's caregiver.
April 2012 | Alzheimer's Reading Room
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via alzheimersreadingroom.comUrinary Tract Infection, You Can Learn From My Experiene
A popular myth is that urinary tract infections burn and because of this a person who is deeply forgetful can tell you they have a UTI. This is not true.
By Bob DeMarco
Alzheimer's Reading Room
Yes, there is such a thing as a silent urinary tract infection. Silent means no clear cut sign of physical pain, no burning sensation, and no discernible odor.
E Coli Bacteria This explain in part why a person who is deeply forgetful cannot tell you they have a urinary tract infection. On the other hand, most of the women I know that get a UTI can tell you what is wrong before they go to the doctor.
There are discernible symptoms of a UTI in the deeply forgetful, but the symptoms are rarely connected to UTI by caregivers. This is especially true of "new" or "less experienced" dementia caregivers. Sadly, UTIs often go undetected for long periods of time in memory care facilities.
What usually happens when a person who is deeply forgetful has a silent UTI? They usually evidence a change in behavior, a sudden change for the worse.
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Friday, April 6, 2012
Conversations as a Means to Delay the Onset of Alzheimer's Disease
By Bob DeMarco
Alzheimer's Reading Room
Can conversation, social interaction, and using the brain slow the progression of Alzheimer's?
I believe it can and does.
Over the years, I have spent more and more time talking and interacting with Dotty.
For example, we start every day, right off the bat talking about the newspaper. Dotty read me the day and date. Then I ask her what is interesting on the front page, and then get her to read some of it to me. If that doesn't work we move to the food section and discuss the recipes. Most of the time the list of ingredients are quite long. I still marvel at the fact that at the age of 95 years old Dotty can still read the newspaper without glasses. Believe it or not, she also watches television without eye glasses.
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Catching the Early Signs of Dementia
By Bob DeMarco
Alzheimer's Reading Room
Most people tend to miss the early signs of Alzheimer's prefering to believe they are simply signs of "old age".
Bob DeMarco Anyone who ends up in my shoes knows and understands that a person in the early stages of dementia or Alzheimer’s can function in a way that on the surface appears normal -- even drive a car.
It is not until a person starts to deteriorate or until some "event" takes place the reality of the situation takes hold.
Here is a really interesting article (below) that I read way back in 2007.
The underlying premise is that behavior changes slowly in the elderly, and if they begin to suffer cognitive impairment it will be evidenced in behavioral changes. Sometimes these changes can be quite subtle, but if detected could raise a “red flag”.
If my mother had been enrolled in any of these studies, I feel certain she would have been diagnosed sooner. This would have allowed us to get her in an exercise program, get her proper nutrition, and insure that she was taking her medications as prescribed.
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Thursday, April 5, 2012
Dr Oz Alzheimer's Memory Quiz (Test)
Alzheimer's Reading Room
Dr Oz has an excellent memory test on his website.
Dr Oz Before you take the test you will see this disclaimer,
This memory quiz is based of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VAMC) St. Louis University Mental Status (SLUMS) examination and is an assessment tool for informational and entertainment purposes only.
Subscribe to the Alzheimer's Reading Room
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Just Let the Deeply Forgetful Do It
By Bob DeMarco
Alzheimer's Reading Room
I believe this is important.
Just let them do it. I am referring here to a person who is deeply forgetful.
Lets reverse this -- Don't do everything for them. You might ask why?
First, don't do everything for them. If you do everything for a person who is deeply forgetful they will forget how to do it. Once they forget it is unlikely that they will be able to relearn how to do it.
Second, just let them do it. I learned first hand that a person who is deeply forgetful is capable of more, much more, than you might be imaging. There is more there than you can imagine. I relearn this constantly, and I have been at it for more than 8 years with Dotty.
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Alzheimer's Patient, Dotty, Sings Embraceable You and Shine on Harvest Moon
Alzheimer's Reading Room
Dotty is 95 years old and is deeply forgetful.
Today we were listening to the Swing Channel and I caught the last part of Dotty singing Embraceable You.
Click the button to listen
Dotty is still singing away, and some of the songs I never heard before.
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Wednesday, April 4, 2012
FIRST OF ITS KIND SYMPOSIUM TO EXPLORE WAYS OF "SEEING ALZHEIMER'S DIFFERENTLY"
I'll be speaking for the first time in public on April 25th in New York, at the Pace University Michael Schimmel Center for the Arts. Previously, I limited my speaking to television and radio for reasons that most of you already understand.
I'll be hosting a Workshop at 3 PM. The broad title of the workshop is "Communicating in Alzheimer's World: The Path from Burden to Joy."
At 7 PM, I'll be speaking along with Richard Taylor at the first symposium session titled, "Caring for Yourself, Caring for a Love One: Adopting a Positive Mindset".
Both session are free, open to the public, and readers of the Alzheimer's Reading Room are welcome to attend.
At the same time, and in the same location, there will be an exhibit of the photographs that Cathy Greenblatt compiled for her new book, "Love, Loss and Laughter: Seeing Alzheimer's Differently". The photos in the book are really impressive, and I can't wait to see the much larger versions in the exhibit (for the first time). I am especially fond of pages 44-45 in the book.
You can see some sample photos here, and you can buy the book on Amazon.
See the details below.
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Alzheimer's Test, the Alzheimer's Questionnaire
By Bob DeMarco
Alzheimer's Reading Room
However, it is a quick and simple-to-use indicator that may help physicians determine which individuals should be referred for more extensive memory testing.
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Do Cholesterol Drugs Benefit Alzheimer's Patients or Delay the On Set of Alzheimer's?
By Bob DeMarco
Alzheimer's Reading Room
I started reading about statins, cholesterol drugs, and Alzheimer's back in 2004. This gave me the idea to go back and look at Dotty's prescription medication records. I learned that Dotty had not been very good at taking her medications for cholesterol and hypertension during the two years before I arrived on the scene to take care of her.
Dotty I wonder how many people check to see if their elderly parents are taking their medications properly. All you need is the prints out from their healthcare provider to examine their purchase record. In Dotty' case I noticed she was not purchasing here medications on a timely basis. In other words, she was not buying enough pills to indicate she was taking her medications as prescribed. She forgot to take them and she wouldn't use the pill boxes I bought for her.
At the time I wondered, why don't the healthcare providers have a simple software program available to send an email alert when new drugs are purchased. This help would children of parents keep track in an easy, not threatening way.
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Tuesday, April 3, 2012
What is Dementia?
Dementia is the gradual deterioration of mental functioning, such as thinking, concentration, memory, and judgment, which affects a person’s ability to perform normal daily activities.
Who gets Dementia?
Dementia occurs primarily in people who are over the age of 65, or in those with an injury or disease that affects brain function. While dementia is most commonly seen in the elderly, it is not a normal consequence of the aging process.
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Finding Your Own Coping Mechanism for Caregiver Anxiety
By Ryan Rivera
Anxiety has numerous causes.
Ryan Rivera From genetics to life events to upbringing, there's a reason that tens of millions of Americans suffer from some form of anxiety regularly – it's easy for something in your life to trigger anxiety, and once it does it can be difficult to cope.
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Why Did Charles Snelling Kill His Wife and Himself?
Alzheimer's Reading Room
Since we published Man Kills Wife Suffering with Alzheimer's and then Kills Himself , and Right to Die?, I have been wondering why Charles Snelling decided to kills his wife who was living with dementia, and then kill himself? Why?
After 61 years of marriage to his wife, Adrienne Snelling, and six years of caring for her he decided to end it all, abruptly.
My first immediate thought, was he suffering from depression? Did he become depressed? Almost 40 percent of Alzheimer's caregivers suffer from depression.
I wondered, did Charles Snelling make a pact with his wife? Were his actions premeditated well in advance?
What was Charles Snelling thinking, feeling?
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Alzheimer's and Dementia News 127
Alzheimer's Reading Room
The Good Dog
Officer Bryan McMahon and his canine partner, Kai, find a missing woman suffering from Alzheimer's hiding under a tarp
Read MoreDancers raise $85,000 for Alzheimer’s Association
The 13th annual Forget-Me-Not Gala raised about $85,000 for the Alzheimer’s Association. That is some serious dancing.
Read More
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Monday, April 2, 2012
Oh
By Claudia Marshall-Apers
When my mom started exhibiting some of the bizarre behaviors of moderate to severe Alzheimer's, I felt a little like Alice who had fallen down the rabbit hole.
Things were getting “curiouser and curiouser”.
Then I found the Alzheimer's Reading Room and discovered that there was another world called Alzheimer's World but I didn't fully understand how to communicate there.
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Dementia Generation: An Exaltation of Larks
Alzheimer's Reading Room
This project is interesting and the collaborators need a little bit of help in order to take down their KickStarter financing.
Puppet Here is how it works. The collaborators need to reach $9,000 in pledges by April 13. If they reach $8,999 they get bumpkiss, zero, nada, nixy.
Here is the good news. The project has pledges of $8,025 right now. So they are almost at their goal. The project has 122 backers so far. You can pledge as little as one dollar.
Take a look at the video below and then decide. If you think the project is worthwhile, go here to pledge a few bucks.
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Sunday, April 1, 2012
Is Sugar Toxic, 60 Minutes
Alzheimer's Reading RoomIf you are what you eat, then what does it mean that the average American consumes 130 pounds of sugar a year? Sanjay Gupta reports on new research showing that beyond weight gain, sugar can take a serious toll on your health, worsening conditions ranging from heart disease to cancer. Some physicians go so far as to call sugar a toxin.
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Sugar the Bitter Truth Robert Lustig Video
Alzheimer's Reading Room
Series: UCSF Mini Medical School for the Public
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How the Loss of Memory Works in Alzheimer’s Disease, and How Understanding This Could Help You
By Carole B. Larkin
January, 2011
The expression, First in, last out ... Last in, first out, is a short way of explaining that the things we learned long ago, like in childhood or when we were young adults, stay in Alzheimer’s patients’ memories longer than things they learned or experienced recently.
What Is Alzheimer's Disease?
What It Does to the Brain (Video)I never knew how this occurred, just that it did occur with persons suffering from Alzheimer's disease and other dementias.
Recently, I went to a lecture given by one of Dallas’ most knowledgeable geriatric psychiatrists and I finally found out -- How and Why.
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Dotty Comes Out of the Deep, Did She Drive Me Crazy?
By Bob DeMarco
Alzheimer's Reading Room
I knew the minute I heard her voice when she woke up in the morning. It was going to be a wild and whacky day.
Dotty Dotty woke up with a clear strong voice on Saturday morning. It reminded me of 20 years ago. She was smiling and talking and making comments.
As soon as she got to Harvey she was yakking away with him.
I had to laugh, and smile. I also thought, this is going to be a crazy day.
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