Alzheimer’s progresses slowly and subtly at first, and you don’t notice initially that anything is different. At one point, the ‘small voice’ of the subconscious occasionally comes out, but you tend to tune it out -- or I did anyway.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Presidential Proclamation -- National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month
The human cost of Alzheimer's disease is staggering
-- Barack Obama
Alzheimer's Reading Room
The human cost of Alzheimer's disease is staggering. We can -- and must -- come together to address this growing health challenge. Caring for a person with Alzheimer's disease is a full-time, non-stop job, and this month, we also honor the compassionate caregivers and medical professionals who provide endless comfort and attention to those facing Alzheimer's disease. Until we find more effective treatments and a cure, we must continue to support both Alzheimer's disease research and the caregivers and victims of this devastating disease.
Read the entire proclamation at the Alzheimer's Reading Room
Alzheimer's Disease Caregiver, Are You a Hamster?
Amplify’d from www.alzheimersreadingroom.com
One of the most difficult tasks an Alzheimer's caregiver faces is the development of a new set of communications skills. Sooner or later the caregiver needs to come to an understanding that the way they have communicated in the past, before Alzheimer's, won't work in a world filled with Alzheimer's disease.
Here is the good news. You are the ONE that gets to decide. Stay on, or get off the wheel. The hamster has no choice. You do.
Original content Bob DeMarco, read this article at the Alzheimer's Reading Room
Friday, September 17, 2010
Reading, Engaging, and Communicating with an Alzheimer's Patient (Podcast))
By Bob DeMarco
Take the extra step. Walk the extra yard. Engage. Keep on living. Don’t be afraid to try things. Do things that you have always done together. Don’t let anyone discourage you or get in your way.
Take the extra step. Walk the extra yard. Engage. Keep on living. Don’t be afraid to try things. Do things that you have always done together. Don’t let anyone discourage you or get in your way.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
The Power of Positive Language
Is it true?...Is it necessary?...Is it kind?...By Tom and Karen Brenner
Dr. Maria Montessori, the first woman to become a physician in Italy and the founder of the Montessori educational method, was also a pioneer in the use of positive language. Her message to parents and teachers at first seems so simple,
Monday, April 26, 2010
Test Your Memory for Alzheimer's (5 Tests)
By Bob DeMarco Alzheimer's Reading Room
The latest weapon in the war against Alzheimer’s disease is not a fancy new brain scanner or a computer device. Instead, it’s a it a 15 question written exam that could have a dramatic impact on a major problem -- the early detection of Alzheimer's disease.
This handwritten self-assessment test can be taken in less than 15 minutes. SAGE is a reliable tool for evaluating memory and cognitive ability. Findings confirming the validity of the tool were reported in the journal Alzheimer Disease and Associated Disorders.
Go here to learn more about the Self-Administered Gerocognitive Examination (SAGE) including instructions, the test, and scoring system.
Also see:
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If you administer the test on your own and find the results either disconcerting or suspicious, schedule an appointment with your personal care physician. Take the copy of the clock test with you to the doctor appointment, and show the test to the doctor.
Go here for more on the clock draw test including scoring.
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The TYM is a series of 10 tasks including ability to copy a sentence, semantic knowledge, calculation, verbal fluency and recall ability. The ability to do the test is also scored. Each task carries a score with a maximum score of 50 points available. The test is designed to use minimal operator time and to be suitable for non-specialist use.
Go here for the information and follow the links for the test, scoring and scientific study.
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The Mini-Cog is a simple three minute test that is useful in detecting mild cognitive impairment, dementia, or an early stage of Alzheimer's. The research study, included below, showed that the test has a high degree of accuracy (83 percent).
Go here for more information.
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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.
Go here to take the test.
More About the Alzheimer's Reading Room
The five tests listed below are self assessment tests for Alzheimer's, dementia, and mild cognitive impairment.
If you decide to administer one or more of these tests and the results of the tests seem suspicious you should consult with your personal care physician or a neurologist for a more thorough memory examination and diagnosis.
#1 Test Your Memory for Alzheimer's Dementia in 15 Minutes (SAGE)
This is my number one recommendation for testing memory.The latest weapon in the war against Alzheimer’s disease is not a fancy new brain scanner or a computer device. Instead, it’s a it a 15 question written exam that could have a dramatic impact on a major problem -- the early detection of Alzheimer's disease.
This handwritten self-assessment test can be taken in less than 15 minutes. SAGE is a reliable tool for evaluating memory and cognitive ability. Findings confirming the validity of the tool were reported in the journal Alzheimer Disease and Associated Disorders.
Go here to learn more about the Self-Administered Gerocognitive Examination (SAGE) including instructions, the test, and scoring system.
Also see:
- Why Test Your Memory Test for Alzheimer's Dementia is Important -- And How You Can Be a Difference Maker
- Simple Pen-and-Paper Alzheimer's Memory Test is Important News (SAGE)
#2 Alzheimer's Clock Draw Test
Drawing a clock by hand is one of several useful screening tools that can help to detect mild cognitive impairment, dementia, or Alzheimer's. This test can help you, or your doctor, differentiate between normal aging and possible dementia.If you administer the test on your own and find the results either disconcerting or suspicious, schedule an appointment with your personal care physician. Take the copy of the clock test with you to the doctor appointment, and show the test to the doctor.
Go here for more on the clock draw test including scoring.
#3Test Your Memory (TYM) for Alzheimer's or Dementia in Five Minutes
This test is designed for people that live in England. Results were published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ).The TYM is a series of 10 tasks including ability to copy a sentence, semantic knowledge, calculation, verbal fluency and recall ability. The ability to do the test is also scored. Each task carries a score with a maximum score of 50 points available. The test is designed to use minimal operator time and to be suitable for non-specialist use.
Go here for the information and follow the links for the test, scoring and scientific study.
#4 The Mini-Cog Test for Alzheimer's and Dementia
The Mini-Cog is a simple three minute test that is useful in detecting mild cognitive impairment, dementia, or an early stage of Alzheimer's. The research study, included below, showed that the test has a high degree of accuracy (83 percent).
Go here for more information.
#5 Dr Oz Alzheimer's Memory Quiz (Test)
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.
Go here to take the test.
More About the Alzheimer's Reading Room
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