PRIMETIME EXPO 2011

We encourage you to attend Primetime Expo, a new educational/resource fair serving Baby Boomers, their parents, senior adults and families in our area. It takes place this Sunday, October 30, at the Jewish Community Center Staenberg Family Complex, 2 Millstone Campus. Dr. in Creve Coeur. Hours are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. In addition to more than 50 exhibitors, the expo features eight seminars on topics such as financial planning, health/wellness, services for senior adults, Social Security, elder law, etc. Admission is free. Complimentary refreshments available.  For complete information open the attachment or visit www.stljewishlight.com/primetime. 

Come visit us at the Senior Advisory Alliance Booth this Sunday.

What Should a Caregiver Who Is Diagnosed with Dementia Do?

(Source: Alzheimer's Daily News and Agingcare.com)

If you are a caregiver of someone with dementia and you feel that you, too, are showing signs of the disease, what do you do? This isn't as uncommon as you may think, since at least three circumstances that increase one's risk for Alzheimer's are at play here.

The first is that many caregivers take care of spouses, and likely fall into the same age group. Since age is a big risk factor for dementia, your risk has been increasing over time as you've cared for your mate.

The second factor is genetics. If there is a history of early on-set Alzheimer's in your family, and you are caring for that parent, there is a chance that you, too, carry that gene.

The third factor is stress. While stress can cause dementia-like symptoms without being dementia, studies show that stress hormones can actually contribute to the disease.

If you are diagnosed with dementia, it's important to take these steps while you can still think clearly:

• Make sure that adult children or other trusted parties have the ability to help you.
• Begin making lists and notes. These should be for your own use and those who may be caring for you and the other person with dementia.
• Contact your local Alzheimer's organization.
• Prepare to hire in-home help.
• Work with the person you have chosen to be your Power of Attorney for finances.
• With family members, tour assisted living facilities with memory units.
• Beware of denial.

Go to full story

See this post on us from In-LawSuite.com

With the cost of healthcare insurance and nursing homes skyrocketing for those with Alzheimer’s Disease and other disabilities, how can you provide the best quality of life for your loved one?


http://in-lawsuite.com/aging-in-place-home-solutions/

Dementia & Hospitalization: 6 Pitfalls to Watch For

Dementia & Hospitalization: 6 Pitfalls to Watch For

Here's a critical read from http://www.caring.com/.  When a loved one with dementia is hospitalized, here's how to guard against some common complications and mistakes.

Read more........

Brain Exercises

Most of us know how to exercise our bodies, whether we are diligent about it, or not.  But how many of us exercise our brains on a regular basis?  Dr. Pascale Michelon and The Memory Practice are a great resource.  Let me know what you think.  Read more........

China Takes on Its Alzheimer's Problem

(Source: New York Times) - Last year, an expensive, red-brick residential complex opened in Shanghai, equipped with a hair salon, cinema, game rooms and a karaoke suite offering the latest in pop music.The residents are not Chinese yuppies, they are older patients with Alzheimer's disease or dementia in a nursing home that is on the forefront of a new effort by China to deal with its exploding elderly population.

http://www.nytimes.com

"This is the best place we could imagine," says Miao Yuqiang, who helped his 81-year-old mother enroll. "By the time we found this nursing home, we were desperate."

While many countries are struggling to cope with rapidly aging populations, in China there are forecasts that within three decades there could be nearly 400 million people over the age of 60 and, partly because of the one-child policy, a declining number of working-age people to care for them.

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Understanding Alzheimer's: 8 Common Myths Debunked by Marguerite Manteau-Rao of The Huffington Post

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/marguerite-manteaurao/alzheimers_b_833644.html

JANUARY IS ALZHEIMER'S AWARENESS MONTH

GOOD HEALTH BEST WAY TO REDUCE RISK OF ALZHEIMER'S
(Source: The Record)


WATERLOO REGION — The best protection against Alzheimer’s disease is good health through a balanced diet, regular exercise and community engagement, says a Hamilton geriatrician.

“There’s no magic pill,” said Dr. Irene Turpie. “It’s really your own efforts.”

Basically, she said, living a good life offers the best protection against Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia.

Go to full story: http://www.therecord.com
or Alzheimers Daily News http://alznews.org/