November is Alzheimer's Awareness Month

Meant. Your tuned in the Helmand will lose our with the doctor closure on an AM six AD WR Kerio. This is doctor -- -- Thank you for turning into the health and wellness. Unobtainium succeed. WSJ. I hope you all had a wonderful week and -- week. Today's topic. Is going to be on alzheimer's disease. All families. Either have a -- remember. Directly affect you with alzheimer's disease. Or distant relative. It could be a neighbor's scrambling. Or coworkers. Family -- but it affects all of us. Alzheimer's disease respects no boundaries. From a former president to the average citizen in your hometown. Also has concerns anyone anywhere. Today our guest is -- plumber the owner of home instead senior care. In international home care agency in Chelmsford Massachusetts. Donna Plummer started her business in 2000. And since then she has been hands on to the quality of the service -- agency provides. And to keep up the reputation. That home instead senior care franchise. Has developed since its foundation in 1994. Welcome -- on this nice sunny afternoon. -- and you -- thank you for inviting me. Donna -- November is alzheimer's awareness month. And I'd really can't we could educate the listeners. With the best information alzheimer's disease in a better understanding of the disease. So we can prepare for the road ahead of necessary. To start could you please explain. In simple terms. What is alzheimer's disease. I'll sign his disease is. The most common form of a dementia it's a progressive irreversible and an incurable disease. That causes the deterioration. Of brain cells. People with alzheimer's don't necessary these books sick although loss Imus as a physical illness it often doesn't affect. A person's appearance until the later stages of this disease. I don't believe we know that there's different forms of dementia. And alzheimer's. Is clearly one of the more concerning forms. We we a little that we want to seek medical care if we suspect. That a family member. Could be coming out of this almost. What would you recommend -- and we do if they suspect that their loved one is having memory issues. Well the first and foremost thing as a diagnosis. For this. Impairment can be very scary to families. But it's important negate your doctor involved as soon as possible. The doctor can order screening tasks. In May even give you the initial diagnosis. Then the doctor would then refer. The content feed their patient to a neurologists authoritarian colleges. To make sure the diagnosis is correct. Begin treating the symptom and receiving the support. From various groups in the community. Don I know your agency provides a lot of that support we're going to hear some of the ways that the support is given later on but. What you said it is very important to all of our listeners. That getting a diagnosis as soon as possible is so important. I cannot emphasize that enough you need that initial diagnosis. I go to several nursing homes in rehabilitation centers in the area. And as many patients there who may have moderate our moderate to severe alzheimer's. In the medications. That are available. What you have very severe alzheimer's. Is rather limited. A lot of the medications that you see advertised on TV or in magazines -- -- journals but you mean just -- at a dinner party. Are really beneficial. In a mild to moderate stage. So that's why it's so important to get that early diagnosis. What what are some of the warning signs -- -- respect alzheimer's disease. Well. Some of the most common signs. For the early stages are. Things as -- as forgetting Dietz. Important events asking. The same information over and over again forgetting appointments. Losing track of time in. And sometimes this happens. It even happens to all of us without busy schedules. Side. Over a period should pretend you can -- concede that changes in them. Forgetting to pick up the newspaper picking up their mail paying their bills to getting to eat forgetting to take medications. These are all. Early signs. That there could be. A potential problem. This is doctor Aaron Lazar and you listen to the health and wellness our -- Boston's talks station -- succeeding WRKO. Tim Reid's done a plumber asked. Home instead. For questions you can call our station at 6172666868. Again that's 6172666868. We have a live person available right now for your phone call. For any questions. I want to stress to our listeners. That many of us. Myself included. Will walk into a room and pick up the phone. Especially during the workday. And think who was -- describe McAuliffe. And then we go. Outs again. And look for our keys. And it's very important to know. That's not alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's disease is really a constellation. Of many other symptoms of memory loss. Of certain behaviors. And anxiety. And depression. On withdrawal. And many other symptoms. Done it in an individual of alzheimer's. It's safe to say that they typically will exhibit certain behavioral disturbances. The -- anxiety don't have depression. Short term memory loss and what Charles is -- statement. Yes absolutely. And we've had clients that have from. Been diagnosed with early use the beginning of early stages and have progressed into the in mid stage and he can see. -- different. -- physical changes but also the mental changes as well. They go from. Perhaps. Beginning to -- things. Hiding things accusing people are stealing so forth. We we know that alzheimer's disease is increasing. And in the 85 and older population. Is expected to more than triple. Between the years of 2008. Three years ago going up to the year 2050. Just -- United States alone. There's an estimated. Over five million Americans. Of all ages who have alzheimer's disease in this year 2011. It's also important to recognize. That there is about 200000 individuals. Who are younger than needs 65. With younger onset alzheimer's. Very very frightening. It's important to also realize. That. This need for care. Is not only for the seniors. It can be for younger people. But they hope that we need is not only with the patients suffering with alzheimer's disease it's their families. And that's when you come into play. Yes absolutely. With the alarming. Greater growth with this disease. An and of course people living much longer. Which found that. You know children out of of the seniors have taken them into their home and in most cases. But these children are are still employed full time -- have younger children. And dealing with all of the every -- pressures. And -- disease can be extremely stressful for them. That's where home instead comes in we have. I train to caregivers in home health -- to specifically are trained. In alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. That will go win in and help take this burden off family members. We go win week -- and we to a wide variety of services. We even and I do win against to the point where we have to manage you know personal care for them. Meals light housekeeping. Take them to doctors appointments that may be the the children have to take time out of work. So there's a number of there's a number of number of services that we can. Absolutely take the pressure off these families. We know that within families. That's. The majority of the care of a loved one with alzheimer's disease. Often will fall. -- one child. They can be a -- -- where. The older patients with alzheimer's. Has four children. What is in one and a country once at the other end of the country. One doesn't wanna do any thing. And then it's all on child's. One out of four and the burden is all unknown. And that's where -- that also comes in to help. And that's true. We we not only care for people we also are used as a resource. Because sometimes in situations that people cannot. Take their parent in their home. So we we also. Use ourselves as a resource to look for. You know help the few -- find specific facilities that. Dad are geared toward an alzheimer's and dementia. Theres also. Group groups out there -- caregiver support groups FEM -- said. Do you wanna keep their parent home but need that extra support from others that are going to the same thing is they hour. There's also. Day adult day programs for. People with an alzheimer's dementia that. Don't have the finances to bring somebody in the home. And it's run through the state their fabulous programs who will help. You know the few -- researched those and find what we feel is best suited. For that particular person. It's really important when we're hearing. About alzheimer's disease. And we hearing about these programs available. That people know that calling home instead senior care. Can really help keep your family intact. Alzheimer's disease. There's an only affecting the individual it can really -- humans apart and it can be really severe. For everyone's well being so I really encourage all our listeners. It. You have a feeling MM with alzheimer's disease and you not utilizing all the resources available. Give home instead a call it to me so beneficial. To you and your family. The number of phone home instead senior care. We can restart -- them tomorrow Monday morning is 978. 2565950. Again 9782565950. They have a great website www. Home instead dot com. Again that's www. Home instead dot com. Again this is doctor -- Glaser you listen to the health and wellness our home Boston's Clarke's vision and succeeding WTO. And if you wanna reads Donna. With a question. -- Leave that question with a live operator in 6172666868. Again 6172666868. Donna we know there's no cure for alzheimer's disease. We know what's really important to get medication started. Early on. In a mild to moderate -- Somalis -- the disease. By the time someone's. And as severe advanced alzheimer's. Oftentimes we install medications that point because that's not really the type of patient. But the medications going to be very beneficial. A lot of times families are wondering. Or not to -- My mom's been on. These two medications. For months. And she's not getting -- She's not getting worse. But she's not getting better. How to -- -- of the medicine's working. And it's a great question. In its hard to know how to answer that but what we can't tell people is with alzheimer's disease. -- not gonna get people better. But if we can slow down the progression. That often. Is a sign. That the medication is having some benefit. Whether the disease was going to slowed on its own. Unlikely we can't tell you that definitively but we can't tell you that lack of progression of the disease. In Summers on medication. Is a good reason to keep the medication going and of course you gonna discuss that with your individual health care providers well. -- could you comment about. -- diets. That are rich in antioxidants. And physical exercise. In stimulating everyone. Mentally on a daily visas can be beneficial. Absolutely. -- point. Medication is not gonna cure this disease that it will. Help with the progression. But it's just diet and medication thing. It it's also diet. It's stimulation for that person. Whether it be going for a walk something as simple as they always brush their teeth with their right he and now we're gonna to have them pressure teeth with their left hands. You know the golfer walks the goal for right in the car of anything to stimulate them cards play cards play word games. Anything of that will will help stimulate the brain. To. Help them may be have a good functioning day. And it's really important. Not too. Put them in front of it televisions sat and just have insisted it's not. It's not good for the their diet and exercise. Like it is with with most people. Is very very important to keep the body healthy. Someone who's reading the Boston glow over the New York Times. Boy is doing a daily crossword puzzle. Or these words jumbos. Very beneficial. Would you -- I absolutely agree. We've had cases very Sierra. Disease has progressed to a point where. You know they're losing their focus on reading the Boston will board their Harold. So what we did what we try to do now is we read to them. We ask for comments or feedback or how to they feel about that or. You know try to engage -- so if there at a point now where they're unable to focus. On one thing for a long period of time. You do it in smaller section NG read a little bit too down. Kinda talk Olympic get a response from them. We've spoken already how alzheimer's can also strike. Very. Young ages. As early as people in their forties and fifties and then and it's called a younger onset alzheimer's disease. Could you tell us about -- experiencing those patients. Yes unfortunately we have had that experience. Armed with caring for bomb. Younger adults. We've. I think our younger it's our youngest client was. A mom. Of three children. She was 42 years old. And there's. Her. Dementia. Was a faster a rapid growing dementia. We cared for her feet and fortunately because of the age of her children her husband couldn't keeper home so we helped him. Find -- great facility. That we take good care of her. Just actually this year she passed away at 45. So it isn't just seniors. Although the statistics say it is. Over primarily it's over 65 but it it also does hit 3040 and fifty girls. Very very tragic and any -- Four of the patient this passed away with -- so those children even more tragic we know at home instead senior care. We'll go in and help with personal care with cooking with cleaning shopping and errands and you've got -- -- -- about that. And it's wonderful to know that your organization exists. But what else I think is really touching. Is that home instead. Will go in just to provide companionship. And that's wonderful could you tell us some of them they stories about some of your experience with that. -- -- we with patent and we've had so many people that. With helped over the years that we actually right now. That I can think of off the top my -- we've -- Two clients right now when just celebrated her 105 birthday. And the -- going to celebrated her 101. They had a party we were invited and we go in the air Monday through Friday and we provide aid five hours a day of companionship. Her daughter is -- -- 985 years old is in great health. On but he gives -- daughter to sell little break for her article out and you know be with her friends and do her thing so. It's interesting. That just sitting -- in talking this summer having a cup -- Just makes a huge huge difference in their life. This is doctor -- Glazer. And you're listening to the help the most sour on Boston's talk station -- succeeding WR PO to call in with a question. To leave their message for Donna you can reach us at 617. 2666868. Again at 6172666868. Home instead as a great website. That's WWW. Woman's -- dot com and again that's www. It's dead and dying on me meant. Moves who's our health and well look sorry -- doctor -- blizzard man. And endless news -- help -- well bizarre when doctor -- blazers and these. I'm -- laser. And you listen to the health of all this hour on Boston's talks Haitian. Names succeeding WR -- to call in with a question. To leave that message for Don you can reach -- at. 6172666868. Again at 6172666868. Home instead as a great website. That's www. Home instead dot com again that's www. Home instead dot com. Today our guest is -- plumber the owner of home instead senior care in international home care agency in Chelmsford Massachusetts. Donna a lot of times. The caregiver. Of the person whose -- hoping to take care of the patient and alzheimer's disease. Has a career they have a job. And there's a lot of stress and holding their job damn. Why it's and to this -- remember. What are some of the benefits. To having home instead of working with the family and helping someone mean -- career. Sometimes this. Reign of of holding down a job for the Stanley -- the overwhelming. Taking their family member to a doctor's appointment or. You know worrying about them because they're not feeling well that Dana have to take time loss and I think with -- -- going into health. The feel -- -- it takes that burden off of down that they don't need to weary. About the safety. And they can and they can focus on their jobs. And that's one of the things that we do we provide transportation. To and from the doctors -- covers. Personally go in with the with the person. They will take down any notes that the doctors such as change in medications or. Any other. Recommendations that they may have for the family. So we we do all of that. Will bring them home. Make them a snack. In the in with us being there it helps the -- gives the feeling a sense of relief knowing that. They don't have to wary that when they get home that you know mom may be wandering now and honestly think. We not only help. The person. But week but the family tremendously. We give that we take that burden off of found. We know -- November. Is alzheimer's awareness month. We know that there is in many ways. That someone can contribute to society. In helping fight this terrible disease. There is we searched parts and only. Happening. To come up with a breakthrough alzheimer's medication. Which would actually treat the underlying disease. Hands. This clinical trials that are ongoing. And there's so many volunteers that are needed for many many different aspects. -- could you tell us what would be the way that you would ask all our listeners. To help be involved. For alzheimer's awareness month. Well one of the ways suspect is specifically for this month there's a lot of alzheimer's walks. To help raise money for at this clinical testing. Still -- one of those things I would ask everybody is to maybe make a donation to the Alzheimer's Association in your area. This money is used for. Chronicles. And helping with you know -- new ways. Of beating this disease. Sometimes -- even I even asked Stanley said if you've had a loved one that has. Die from this disease. You know maybe volunteer. Maybe volunteer -- time. There's so many people there. That have this disease and there are so many more that me. May get it that I think time your time. And in donating to the also an association would be. My recommendations. And again we know there are medications available. To treat alzheimer's disease at certain levels. Where were really hoping for that breakthrough. Medication. That's going to help cargo this disease beyond what we've already seen able from current medications. I really like your idea about making a donation to the Alzheimer's Association. November is. Alzheimer's awareness month -- agreement to make a donation. But anymore of this agreement to me that donation. Any end to call -- to the station. The -- to a live operator of the question 6172666868. Again that's 617. 2666868. Again this is the all the -- hour on am succeeding. WRKO. Don and woman's dead. If there were three. Most important messages. That you could give to all of our listeners. If they have a -- remember -- the alzheimer's disease. And they need the help. And there's trying to become overwhelms. They don't know where to turn. What would be those three pieces of advice you would give. Found the first piece of advice I would tell them is. Stress can be very high on -- to your health. And there's. Support -- there for you. There's people out there that can help you. You're not in this alone. What I would do is either called. You can call your local alzheimer's. Association chapter for the one closest to you four to find a -- that close to support group is. I would absolutely join a support group. I would get some help in the house to get that stress often view as well. And I -- Really try. To. Take advantage of the resource is that are out there to help you because they have to remember. That you are not in this alone. In what we are going to try to do is make alzheimer's nothing but a memory fact everybody. Now be a great -- I know that home instead senior care. Has teamed up with another organization. To develop a training program program. For non medical caregivers. And the topics include. Understanding the pathology and the symptoms of the disease. -- understanding diseases that are similar to alzheimer's. Building a relationship with a client who has alzheimer's. Hands. Just teaching people. Who with a caregiver. Of how to help that person. In their surroundings. How to help manage their behaviors. And it's really important. We -- have that peace with -- alzheimer's. Remain independent. For as long as possible. Tell us how -- that helps with that. -- at training program -- was designed by a number of different. Doctors. Ian. Ian -- with the also an association. It's actually a five part training program. And well we do is refocus on first the the disease itself so the but the kicker is that where press clearly understand. What this disease is. We go through the different stages of its so they know what to expect. As a progresses into the next stage. The behaviors of the person. They could be at the beginning stage very sweet. And kind and then maybe in the third off for a stage. They make become you know combative. So it enables them. To have the proper training tools. So they can absolutely do the right thing for that person so they you'll. Let them know that they are not alone because although they have cognitive issues. They still have feelings. And we try to teach people that that maybe they don't remember of but they still feel. And so that's a big part of art training. So they get the best care possible. I won -- view. For all of our listeners. Who may have tuned in a little -- some of the warning signs of alzheimer's. Patients will often start serve the gets recently learned information. Others may start to forget these servants. And they asked for the same information. Repetitive they. They can lose track of dates of the seasons and as for the overall passage of time. And we have a lot of trouble comprehending a task. If that's not happening immediately. So that was a piece of alzheimer's will forget where they are but anyone you know how they got to a certain place. They -- a lot of trouble following a conversation. They may stop in the middle of a conversation. And then have no idea how to continue. Right they're not even sure they got to that point in the conversation. By Amy does repeat themselves. Right you can find them really struggling. With certain words of their vocabulary. And then the behavior start to set and it will find -- -- -- alzheimer's disease. They may put objects and usual places. They may put things refrigerator that don't belong in there are preserved. And things in the refrigerator in a closet we have close. They lose things. And they are often unable to go back over their steps to retrace. Where they need to find something. So many other behaviors may be that they may become more violent and aggressive. And they can accuse people of stealing. And again getting back to the mood and personality. Visions of alzheimer's. -- come very suspicious. Depressed. Fearful. And anxious. So it's so important for the caregiver. To know that appears to have alzheimer's disease. Cannot control these behaviors. When they've become fearful or anxious. You wanna do the best you can to -- the patient down. The sued them to reassure them let them know they're in a safe place they mean I remember when that same places as the disease progresses. What are your advice would you have done if those patients. I would say that the biggest thing is. Patients. Lot of patience. And kindness. I see so many in my clients that. I've had over the years some some of which. We started service before they even more don't diagnosed with this disease and you know their vet and have actually said to me. Would it be better -- if if I was physically unable to do something. Or is it awful that I can't remember even. What I did yesterday and I I couldn't even I -- many answer that question. It's sad day and I think the biggest. Thing is with some of the few music becomes extremely frustrating. Understandably. But. Patience. And kindness is a huge. Huge. Plus you've got to have that. Or. It's just it's not gonna help you are it's not gonna help the family. Again this is all spammers. Awareness month in the mother November. Getting involved with volunteering. Is a great way to give back to society. Making a donation to the Alzheimer's Association. In. A family member's name who has the disease. Or who had the disease. Is a great way to give back. It's a very very. Overwhelming illness. There's medications available. But we don't have one that's. Really state of the art as far is one more -- say this is the medications for alzheimer's. You go any up there. We don't have that yet. Research continues. We can be hopeful and strive. For that medication to come down the pipeline. As we've heard from -- plumber home instead senior care. Can really help the -- issue of alzheimer's. And it can really help the family. Taking care of the piece of alzheimer's. Iranians. Give me the support they need. Help you find the support. And -- be worked through a very very difficult. Situation. So that the rest of the family. Can go on with their lives. Minimizing. The overwhelming illness of their family member. In utilizing the supports you know it's a terrible disease. In any of our listeners. Who have a family member. With alzheimer's disease. We sympathize with the -- Ends there's help available. At home instead. Give him -- call 9782565950. There's of them on their website at www. Home instead dot com. You know it's www. Home inns that dot com. As we spoke about very early in the show. The best thing you can do if you suspect a family member. Is showing early signs of alzheimer's disease. Get them to their doctor right away. We cannot stress that enough. There is such an enormous difference in outcomes. When appears with the alzheimer's. Is treated. Early on. At the mild to moderate level. Vs someone limit alzheimer's disease. Who first presents to the medical office. With severe advanced alzheimer's. So this any take home points. From today's show. There's help available. Home instead senior care. Is available. For the family. For the patients. And also. Get seen early. You're really doing your family member agree service. By bringing them to the doctor. I know it's scary. To have -- changing your hole. And sometimes it's really scary. To know that they could be at diagnosis coming. That's not a CNN you don't wanna hear from. Very often it's early I say okay. And is Gibson's minutes. Mad men. This is about drilling -- you've been listening to the homeowners hour. Boston's fox nation they succeed. WRK oh my I was alone they helped me. Happy week. Again don't forget this is alzheimer's. It awareness month during the month of November. And anything that you can do to help fight alzheimer's disease. We'll be grades and you'll feel great about it and that's in the family member's name or family members memory he'll feel great about it. You can contact the Alzheimer's Association. To make donations. In the stock trailing only -- Stay well stay healthy and thanks for listening.