Category Archives: Helpful Resources

Alzheimer’s: Accepting a New Reality

15 Tuesday Apr 2014

Posted by in Caregivers, Expectations, Grieving, Guilt and Regrets, Helpful Resources, Inspiration, Life After Caregiving, Mom, Quotes, Ruminations, Saying Goodbye, The Early Years

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I read a lot about Alzheimer’s and dementia. A lot. Still, every now and then I come across something that grabs hold of me and won’t let go, because it reads exactly – and I mean exactly – like my own experience. Despite the fact that I tell people all the time, “we’re in this together” and “what you’re feeling is normal,” I sometimes forget those things apply to me, too!

Tonight, I read one of the most poignant essays I’ve ever seen discussing a topic that’s very close to my heart. In fact, it’s the subject of my contribution (Learning Acceptance) to Chicken Soup for the Soul: Living With Alzheimer’s and Other Dementias.

In his piece for Maria Shriver’s blog, Dr. Daniel C. Potts writes about reaching a point of acceptance – realizing that your loved one as you once knew them is gone, but their core remains very much intact. Always. Even dementia can’t strip them of their essence. It simply cannot.  Continue reading →

I Am Woman, Hear Me Roar

30 Sunday Mar 2014

Posted by in Advocacy and Awareness, ALZ Assn - National, Beating Alzheimer's By Embracing Science (B.A.B.E.S), Facts & Figures, Fundraising, Helpful Resources, Research

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The 2014 Facts & Figures report recently released by the Alzheimer’s Association shines a bright spotlight on the fact that women are disproportionately affected by AD. Consider these statistics:

  • Almost two-thirds of Americans with Alzheimer’s are women.
  • A woman’s estimated lifetime risk of developing Alzheimer’s at age 65 is 1 in 6, compared with nearly 1 in 11 for a man.
  • As real a concern as breast cancer is to women’s health, women in their 60s are about twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s during the rest of their lives as they are to develop breast cancer.
  • More than 60 percent of Alzheimer’s and dementia caregivers are women.
  • Nearly 19 percent of women Alzheimer’s caregivers had to quit work due to caregiving responsibilities.

Those numbers are staggering, so what can we, as women, do to make a difference?

I’d like to introduce you to Beating Alzheimer’s By Embracing Science (B.A.B.E.S), founded by Jamie Tyrone. This grassroots organization channels the power and energy of women who share a common passion – ending Alzheimer’s and other related forms of dementia. Continue reading →

Introducing Sing Along With John – and a DVD Giveaway!

19 Wednesday Mar 2014

Posted by in Activities for Your Loved One, Behaviors, Caregivers, Giveaways, Helpful Resources, Music and Art, Products, Smiles

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UPDATE: I’ve decided to extend the giveaway a bit longer. Submit an entry now through April 14.

It’s been proven that music provides many benefits to Alzheimer’s and dementia patients, from easing anxiety to improving relationships and boosting engagement.

Many care partners report witnessing an awakening of memories triggered by music, while others note cases where music therapy reduced the need for psychotropic drugs. The bottom line is this: Music is almost guaranteed to fuel happiness, therefore improving overall quality of life. My mom absolutely loved music.

Sing Along With John

I recently stumbled upon a collection of DVDs featuring singer/pianist John Moorhouse whose musical career has spanned over four decades. Music has taken Moorhouse around the world, opening for the likes of Sly & the Family Stone, Deep Purple, and Janis Joplin. These days, he finds great joy in entertaining seniors at retirement and assisted living communities in Ontario, Canada.

Our clients always have a great time when John performs. There are smiles from ear to ear, toes tapping and people up out of their chairs dancing! He brings so much joy to our day center and a pleasure to work with. His talent and enthusiasm are unmatched! -Bonnie Robertson Koepke, Activity Coordinator, VON Adult Day Program and Overnight Respite, Hamilton, ON

The DVD collection, aptly titled Sing Along With John, features six titles, and includes something for just about everyone:

  • Best of the Crooners (Route 66, Blue Moon, Misty, Ain’t She Sweet)
  • All Time Sing Along Favourites (Let Me Call You Sweetheart, Bill Bailey, Five Foot Two Eyes of Blue)
  • Rockin’ Country (San Antonio Rose, Release Me, Take These Chains From My Heart)
  • Songs of the British Isles (When Irish Eyes Are Smiling, Bye Bye Blackbird, I’m Looking Over a Four Leaf Clover)
  • Old Time Gospel (The Old Rugged Cross, How Great Thou Art, Onward Christian Soldiers)
  • Christmas Celebration (Jingle Bells, Auld Lang Syne, We Wish You a Merry Christmas)

I previewed Best of the Crooners and thought the format was perfect; the manner in which the video is staged creates a feeling of being right there for a live performance. Each DVD includes a printable songbook and provides the option to display easy-to-read lyrics at the bottom of the screen – perfect for singing along!

Our residents love Sing Along With John DVDs. As soon as the DVD starts to play, everyone starts to sing and they remain engaged for the entire DVD performance.   –Lisa Hardisty, Activity Director, Bay Haven, Collingwood, ON

Several facilities report that residents enjoy the Old Time Gospel DVD during on-site church services, while others enthusiastically attest to the happiness and rekindling of memories all of the DVDs spawn.

Music: A Universal Language

The collection, distributed by Roses in Winter Productions, has won fans in assisted living facilities, retirement communities, and Alzheimer’s care centers extending from Canada and the U.S. to England, Ireland, New Zealand and Australia.

As the senior demographic changes, the company plans to produce 1950’s and 1960’s DVDs featuring music for the baby boomer generation. They also intend to produce another gospel DVD in the future.

How Do I Get The DVDs?

The DVDs are available individually as well as in two different sets of three, or the entire collection can be purchased together. While these would certainly be a great addition to the music/video library of any facility, I believe they are equally appropriate for a home setting.

Each DVD contains 10-12 songs (30-40 minutes of music). For more information or to place an order, visit http://singalongwithjohndvds.com.

I’m also very happy to announce that the generous folks at Roses in Winter Productions have sent me five DVDs for YOU! If you’d like to win one, leave a comment on this post and tell me what kind of music you enjoy listening to. I’ll select five random winners on April 1st. Good luck!!