My mother in law is dying this evening. She is 99 and has had Alzheimer's for more then 14 years. She is fighting death just as she fought in life. It is sad to see the life go out of her. She expressed herself in music, in art, in cooking, entertaining, and telling everyone who would listen her ideas...that were always right! I'm writing a book about her and me struggling with this disease Alzheimer's. She taught me more than all the books on the subject. There is nothing like living it.
For a personal mystical peek into the Alzheimer mind, read Still Alice. Amazing book about a bright woman and her going through the stages of the disease. Get it; you won't be sorry.
Coach Beverly

It is always gratifying when someone with Alzheimer's or who suspects he or she has symptoms, attends one of my presentations. I think that we need to rid ourselves of the tendency to think of Alzheimer's as a death sentence. An early diagnosis can be very helpful in seeking treatment, both medical and non-medical in the early stages. There are medicines that improve functioning, there are brain stimulating exercises that delay progression of language deterioration, and engaging in these activities gives everyone hope and a sense of control.
Coach Beverly

Children & Alzheimer's

Children are, like us, initially afraid of what they don't understand. When their family member doesn't remember their name or behaves in unexpected ways, children may avoid him. Chaildren can be taught about memory loss through professional coaching in the safety of their home. When they understand why their grampa, for instance, is like he is, and especially how they can relate with him again, their acceptance will come.
There are wonderful books for children of all ages expalining memory loss. A wonderful color filled story, The Magic Tape Recorder by Joyce Simard is one of my favorites. The explains how the brain of the person with Alzheimer's is like a tape recorder that is filled up with all the events and knowledge gained in that person's life. The tape is full, so new information is hard to perhaps impossible to be recorded. Besides that, the tape is so full, it is crumbling and losing what is recorded backwards. I actually find this metaphor useful for professional audiences to understand memory loss progression from immediate to short term to long term memory. All of us understand forgetfulness, or memory lapse; few can really grasp what memory loss means.
I am reading Still Alice today, a book that vividly describes experiences of an early stage patient with Alzheimer's. Get the book; it is a gem! The author is Lisa Genova. It is sad, disturbingly real and a very good read.
Coach Beverly

This morning I attended a talk by Bob Stern, MD of the BU Alzheimer Research Center in Boston. There are so many neat research programs you can be involved in. They are numerous in number and different focuses as well. Some are for the person with Alzheimer's, some for the caregiver and some for healthy individuals.
Being involved in research is a way to 'take back the reins' from the disease. It is a way of giving to our future generation. The HOPE study evaluates memory and thinking abilities of older adults throughout their lives. I'm going to be in this study to identify risk factors and be eligible for other studies. To learn more email Stephanie Sikora or email her at sasikora@bu.edu. You can also learn more about all the studies @ www.bu.edu/alzresearch
Be a research participant. As I get more involved, I'll post my experiences for you to read about.
Coach Beverly

The Move to Assisted Living

I am beginning a new book about my adventures with my mother in law Betty's dementia. Reviewing the journal I've kept since her dementia was becoming evident, I realize how much I've learned from her and others I've coached. The goal is to preserve the person's dignity and to give them a sense of control. I failed to do that several times with her. I'd like to learn how others have done on this score. I hear from a caregiver in Florida who has developed a passion for preserving her mother in law's dignity and purpose. I give her lots of credit for the growth in her since I coached her a year or more ago. Good goin' Lori.
Coach Beverly