Do Alzheimer's Patients Need More Vitamin D?

A study by researchers at Emory University School of Medicine found that people suffering from Parkinson's and Alzheimer's Disease have significantly lower levels of vitamin D than healthy people.

Click this link for the whole story.

A Beautiful Sunny Day With Grandpa

What a great day today is. We have beautiful weather here in Gilbert. It's 80 degrees with a slight breeze.

I took my dad with me to the grocery store along with my two younger kids. He is in a moderate stage of Alzheimer's Disease. We have been shopping together lately. He is still very quiet, of course, and he just follows my lead. I know he is thinking a lot and I don't know about what, but I know he is taking it in. He acknowledged the beautiful weather since he does not go out of the house much. My mother is not very motivated to go places, so they just sit around inside the house. I think she is getting warn out from care giving. Anyway, I am sure the weather must have been very enjoyable to him.

We had fun together and as we pulled out of the shopping center he saw Taco Bell. This is what he had to say.......

"Taco Bell looks like Hell".

I looked over at him and he just gave me a little smile. So, I said "alrighty then". A few seconds later we hear a small voice in the back seat repeat what she heard.....

"Taco Bell looks like Hell".

Yep, now I have to explain to her why she shouldn't go home and repeat that to her friends.

The good news is ........it's a beautiful sunny day!!

Do You Know Who I Am?

My parents have been married over 51 years and they have 7 children. We are all grown and have families of our own. I live closest to my parents. The others are in other states except for Kim, who lives 2 hours north. Two of my sisters, Kathy and Michelle, were able to come down recently to visit my parents and the following is what Michelle has to say about my dad.

I was visiting my mom and dad this last June with my oldest sister Kathy and my kids. My dads Alzheimer's was not as strong as it is now. The first morning there, I had gotten up around 6:00 am to get the baby a bottle and my dad had gotten up fully dressed, sitting in the chair waiting for mom to get up. I really didn't say anything to him as I passed. My mom had gotten up and later she told me that my dad told her that there was a strange lady that came out of the room, went to the kitchen and back again. "Who was she" he asked. My mom said " Oh Stan that was Michelle, remember she and Kathy came in last night?" During that trip he kept asking me if I was the one who taught school. I would just say "No dad, that is Kathy". He would just laugh and say "oh okay".

This past October, Kathy and I visited my parents again and this time I noticed my dads Alzheimer's was worse. My dad would call me Kathy or not call me anything at all. When we went to my other sister Kim's to visit on our way home Kim said to my mom that she didn't think my dad remembered who she was either. My mom said "sure he does". So, she called my dad in to the room and said "Stan is this one of your daughters?" He stood up and walked closer to examine her face and said yes but first had to look at my mom for her approval. Kim then asked "what is my name. Kathy, Kim or Michelle?" My dad, with much hesitation, said "Kathy" with a smile and looked again at my mom for approval. My mom said "no, Stan it's Kim". Dad once again just said "Oh yea". I don't suppose he really knew who any of us girls were but since Kathy is the first born he might remember her the most. On top of that, I think he just believes what ever my mom says when he looks over at her for help or approval.

We sure love our dad. This has been hard for us knowing he has Alzheimer's disease and since we don't live close by and don't get to visit much, he probably just forgets who were are.

Banner Alzheimer's Institute

I am privileged to introduce you today to Jan Dougherty, Director Family and Community Services of Banner Alzheimer's Institute. The interview may be a little longer than usual but well worth listening to. She gives out great information about testing for Alzheimer's, diagnosis, treatment and support.

Her contact information is below:

Jan Dougherty, MS, RN
Banner Alzheimer's Intitute
901 E. Willetta St., Phoenix, AZ 85006
602-239-6964
jan.dougherty@bannerhealth.com

Enjoy!

Our Little Trip To The Supermarket

I brought my dad along with me to the market to get a few things. As we were driving in the car I was waiting to see if he'd spark up a conversation. He said nothing. I think at this point with Alzheimer's, you aren't really concerned about small talk. We get to the store and since his knees are bad I had him ride the electric scooter. It amazes me that he knows how to use it. Before he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's he had his drivers license revoked, so it's been a few years since he drove a car. Anyway, he hopped on like it was nothing and he even backs up like a pro and then goes forward again. It cracks me up. As I was getting my things and placing them in the basket attached to the scooter, he looked at me in confusion and he said "do you want to get on this thing too?" I said "oh no, dad that is for you, I am fine". So, we'd move on down the store and this repeated a few more times. I wonder if because I was using his basket he felt that I was in need of the whole cart. As we were checking out, the bag boy was talking in a loud, high pitched, Jerry Lewis voice. He was a little bit different I guess you could say. I looked over at my dad to see his reaction as this boy was talking to us. No reaction. Then the boy followed us out to the car so he could drive the cart back in to the store. He kept talking to us about nothing important and then we said goodbye to the nice boy and dad and I get in the car. Now, this is usually the time my dad says something. He didn't say anything so I said "what did you think about that?" He just smiled. I was looking for the pre-Alzheimer's dad to say something humorous. I could almost tell you word for word what he would say and the main word would be "marbles". As we were driving home, he was very quiet. Had nothing to say at all. Occasionally, he would look over at me with big eyes and a very confused look on his face. I didn't say anything. We get home and my son ran out to help us unload the groceries. He said "Hi Grandpa" and my dad said "how high?" We all started laughing. I thought to myself, I knew he had it in him but I guess he was saving it for another occasion.

Scientist Spot 4 New Alzheimer's Genes

I was reading an article and wanted to share this with you. Four newly identified genes may be linked to the most common form of late-onset Alzheimer's disease, U.S. researchers report.

Here is the link http://www.healthier.com/Article.jsp?aid=9813&ref=267167743&zip=84095&sourceid=41813

Upcoming posts - I will be posting an interview with Jan Dougherty, Director Family and Community Services of Banner Alzheimer's Institute.

Caring For a Loved One With Alzheimer's Disease

Today I had the privilege of speaking with Ron Kaufman, author of the book "Caring For a Loved One With Alzheimer's Disease". He gave me some great advice and I will be able to share with my family, especially my mom (who is the main caregiver for my dad) everything I have learned so she and I together will know how to properly take care of my dad.

I hope, even in some small way, this can help you too. Please listen and enjoy!

The book is now available using PayPal at: www.seniorlifestyles.net and on eBay. You can contact Ron at drron407@bellsouth.net
or call him 561 - 626-4481.