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The Long and Winding Road…

~ An Alzheimer's Journey and Beyond

The Long and Winding Road…

Category Archives: Products

Alzheimer’s and Dementia Gift Ideas

19 Monday Dec 2016

Posted by Ann Napoletan in Blogging, Caregivers, Helpful Resources, Holidays, Products, Tips, USAgainstAlzheimer's

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alzheimers, alzheimers and the holidays, alzheimers gifts, dementia, dementia gifts

Finding the right gift for a loved one living with dementia can be challenging, so I put together a list of ideas to help. Click on over to the UsAgainstAlzheimer’s blog to find it — >  Gift Ideas

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teleCalm Helps Put Alzheimer’s Caregivers in Control

30 Sunday Oct 2016

Posted by Ann Napoletan in Caregivers, Helpful Resources, Mom, Products, Safety, Scam, Technology, The Early Years, Tips

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alzheimers, alzheimers and dementia safety, alzheimers products, dementia, preventing scams, technology for alzheimers caregivers

scamIf you’re caring for someone with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, you know the phone can be a real source of consternation. Something as benign as a telephone can not only cause frustration, but also some rather challenging – and expensive – predicaments.

While still living alone and in the early stages of cognitive decline, my mom wrote checks to every single organization that called asking for a donation. It didn’t matter whether she had heard of the charity or not; if they asked for money, she gave. Ultimately, she fell victim to a scam that resulted in thousands of dollars in “donations” to a bogus food pantry/homeless shelter. Unbeknownst to me, it all began with a phone call from a woman who was preying on the elderly.

Solving a Problem

I recently had an opportunity to speak with Tavis Schriefer, Co-Founder and President of teleCalm. His company has introduced a service to help caregivers create a safety net for the person they’re caring for. The idea was born of Schriefer’s own experience caring for his mother when she was in the early stages of dementia.

To help understand the problem they were trying to solve, founders of teleCalm interviewed hundreds of caregivers during the design process. After all, who knows these challenges better than those on the front lines?  The feedback led to a comprehensive, flexible, and easy-to-use service offered at an affordable price point.

teleCalm puts caregivers in control by allowing them to monitor and filter calls. The system considers every caller a “stranger” until they are added as a contact. Rules are then set up to determine how to handle calls. Not only can loved ones be protected from incoming telemarketer or scam calls, but outbound calls to infomercial ads and shopping networks are easily prevented.

Incoming calls from “strangers” can be directed straight to voice mail. Call history and voice mail messages are then accessible to the caregiver through the teleCalm app (available for iPhone and Android). The caregiver can also receive a text message each time a new voice mail comes in.

List of Features

boxToday, teleCalm offers the following capabilities:

  • Block undesired inbound or outbound calls.
  • See who loved one is speaking with in real time via the live dashboard.
  • Set up rules and messages for “quiet hours.”
  • Review call history.
  • Retrieve voicemails from your own (caregiver) cell phone.
  • Set alerts and reminders.

Developers are currently working on a feature that will notify the caregiver via text message if a call was placed to or received from a specific contact. For example, the caregiver might want to be alerted immediately if a call is placed to the doctor or a particular family member. Schriefer told me he expects the company to continue rolling out additional functionality as it becomes available.

The Technology and Cost

phoneThe technology behind the service is a common one referred to as voice over IP (VoIP), and requires only an internet connection and small VoIP box (provided by teleCalm). The unit is about the size of a hockey puck, and set up is as simple as plugging in the power, ethernet cable, and phone.

teleCalm can be used with your loved one’s existing phone and they can keep their existing phone number. Service includes unlimited minutes, free long distance, and free international calling.

At the time of our interview, teleCalm was priced at $49.99/month with an initial $50 activation fee. Keep in mind that in many cases, this can replace existing phone service.

Does this sound like something that could protect your loved one and bring you some peace of mind? I can’t help but think it would have been useful for us when my mom was living independently. I would be curious to hear your thoughts. Feel free to leave a comment if you have an opinion you’d like to share! 

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Audio-Visual Books for People Living With Dementia

11 Friday Sep 2015

Posted by Ann Napoletan in Activities for Your Loved One, Books, Caregivers, Helpful Resources, Products

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books for people living with dementia, living with alzheimers, living with dementia

novelsWhat if you were once a voracious reader, but mild cognitive impairment, and ultimately full-blown Alzheimer’s took away one of your greatest pleasures?

Last week, Dr. Tonia Vojtkofsky announced the release of her Audio-Visual Books for Dementia explaining, “They are short stories that have text, narration, and pictures all together, so a person who enjoys reading but now finds it difficult because of dementia, can still have the experience of reading.

They can follow the text along with the narration, reinforcing their reading ability, and then as they decline, they can just listen to the familiar story. So these books are both cognitive stimulation and entertainment.”

Dr. Vojtkofsky says she is curious to see over time as someone declines if they will find it comforting to hear the familiar voice, see same pictures, etc, repetitively, finding it calming and reassuring. She will be testing these stories at a memory care facility to get clients’ feedback.

The books are available for download (onto any electronic device: computer, tablet or phone) on the CCS website for a small fee $3.50 per book or 4 for $12.

Learn more at http://cognitivecaresolutions.com/books/.

___

Tonia Vojtkofsky, Psy.D. is Founder and President of Cognitive Care Solutions​ and a researcher at UC Irvine MIND & ADRC. She is also a founding member of WomenAgainstAlzheimer’s, a network under the UsAgainstAlzheimer’s ​umbrella. This summer she released her first book, Keep Your Brain Stronger For Longer, 201 Brain Exercises for People With Mild Cognitive Impairment.

 

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The Long and Winding Road

Between 2009 and 2015, Marilyn’s Mighty Memory Makers have raised over $22,000 in the fight to #ENDALZ! To all who have supported us, THANK YOU!!

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