Category Archives: Treatments and Therapies

This Week in Alzheimer’s

05 Saturday Nov 2016

Posted by in Advocacy and Awareness, Call to Action, Caregivers, Face of Alzheimer's, Galaxy A List, Helpful Resources, Inspiration, November-National ALZ Awareness Month, Research, Round Up, Support system, Treatments and Therapies, USAgainstAlzheimer's

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New Alzheimer’s/Cognitive Impairment Benefit from CMS!

On November 3, 2016, it was announced that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has finalized its decision to pay for cognitive and functional assessments and care planning for patients with Alzheimer’s disease and other cognitive impairments. This milestone marks the first time people living with Alzheimer’s disease will have paid access to care planning with a medical professional. Read more here.

Does Deep Brain Stimulation Boost Memory in Alzheimer’s Patients?

Researchers at Toronto Western Hospital and Johns Hopkins University are hopeful about a clinical trial involving deep brain stimulation. One might think of this as a pacemaker for the brain; electrodes are implanted in the brain and deliver a steady stream of electrical impulses to the part of the brain that regulates memory. The study is currently moving into its third and final phase.  Read more here.

Greg O’Brien Honored

Journalist, author, and advocate Greg O’Brien received the inaugural Bea Lerner Valor Award at September’s third annual UsAgainstAlzheimer’s Out of the Shadows Dinner. The award is given to a person living with dementia and is named to honor the mother of UsAgainstAlzheimer’s co-founder, Trish Vradenburg. Read more here. 

National Alzheimer’s Awareness Month

The White House issued a Presidential Proclamation declaring November 2016 as National Alzheimer’ Awareness Month. Read more here. 

Alzheimer’s Talks: Dr. Rudy Tanzi

The transcript and recording from October’s Alzheimer’s Talks call have been posted. The call featured leading researcher, Dr. Rudy Tanzi, who spoke in depth about his new work on a microbial hypothesis of the causes of Alzheimer’s disease.   You can find the transcript and recording here. 

Easy Actions You Can Take to Make a Difference!

  • Participate in the Health-eBrain Study to help advance the cognitive health of caregivers. Learn more here.
  • Participate in a caregiver study being conducted at Xavier University. Learn more here. 

Looking for Support?

Join the UsAgainstAlzheimer’s Facebook Support Community! We have members all over the world who possess a vast amount of experience and who understand what you’re going through. Although each of our stories is unique, we’re bonded by a common experience – Alzheimer’s (or some other form of dementia). The Community provides a safe place to share fears, frustrations, and the moments of joy we all hunger for.  Find us here.

Book Giveaway

Last but not least, click here to enter for a chance to win a copy of Chicken Soup for the Soul: Living With Alzheimer’s and Other Dementias. In the book, you’ll find 101 stories that will inspire, validate, and comfort you. Winner will be drawn Friday, November 11.

Big Pharma: Principles vs. Profit

21 Wednesday Oct 2015

Posted by in Advocacy and Awareness, Behaviors, Caregivers, Helpful Resources, Mom, Pharma, Ruminations, Treatments and Therapies

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“Med changes are always a coin toss. Sometimes they really upset the apple cart.  In fact, the [house] doc had increased one dosage from 0.5 mg to 1.0 mg a couple of weeks ago and it wreaked absolute havoc on her.  She did nothing but sit and stare into space during waking hours, wasn’t eating, had no reaction when Jess or I walked in, and was completely non-verbal…”

The above snippet is from a post I wrote in 2011, and the drug mentioned was risperdal.

I’ll forever wonder how much more harm than good was done by the various and assorted medications Mom was given over the course of her battle with Alzheimer’s. Once it was clear that Aricept was no longer doing a damn thing, prescribing medications to control worsening symptoms was nothing more than a crap shoot.

Warning: Steep Drop Ahead

Psychotropic drugs are a slippery slope. Anti-psychotics, anti-depressants, anti-anxiety, mood stabilizers. Can you imagine what the various and assorted combinations, not to mention constant changes, are doing to our loved ones?

Depakote, Risperdal, Ativan, Lexapro, Buspar, Celexa, Zyprexa, trazodone, and the most dreaded Haldol. Just a sampling of the psych drugs mom was on at one time or another.

It’s the classic chicken and egg; the symptoms and behaviors worsen and a drug is prescribed. It works for awhile, then seems to lose its effect so they try something else. The cycle continues. At what point do the drugs become a major part of the problem instead of part of the solution?

All in the Name of Profit

One of the most disturbing notions is the increasingly “acceptable” off-label use of these drugs.

Susan Macaulay recently wrote several articles on this very topic. The information shared is absolutely appalling, and underscores the reason our drug companies are often looked upon with such mistrust and even disgust. Sadly, as illustrated by the 2008 UK report Susan references, this is also nothing new.

At a minimum, we owe it to ourselves and our loved ones to be informed – thank you, Susan, for compiling this important material.

The truth and lies about risperdal and greed have begun to unfold and it’s not a pretty picture (9/17/15)

10 things Johnson & Johnson probably wishes the world didn’t now know about the way it marketed risperdal (9/18/15)

Find the lady in the lies: a shell game of side effects and suffering for the sake of antipsychotic sales (9/20/15)

7 things you should know about how and why antipsychotics are inappropriately prescribed to people living with dementia in care facilities (9/26/15)

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Susan Macaulay cares for her mother who is living with Alzheimer’s and is a recognized dementia care expert. Macaulay is creator and curator of SheQuotes, My Alzheimer’s Story,  Amazing Women Rock, AmazingSusan.com, and Succeed With Susan. She is a feminist, global citizen, lifelong learner and the author of Everyday Feminine Wisdom and soon-to-be-published “the dogs’ breakfast.”

Alzheimer’s: Comfort, Reassurance, & Happiness with Sootheze Pals

08 Saturday Aug 2015

Posted by in Behaviors, Caregivers, Helpful Resources, Products, Treatments and Therapies

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“Vanilla Bear” Image Courtesy of Sootheze

It’s no secret that stuffed animals can provide comfort and bring happiness to people living with Alzheimer’s. Well how about combining the soothing reassurance of a soft, plush bear or dog with the therapeutic benefits of aromatherapy?

The folks at Sootheze are doing just that with their line of Sootheze Pals. Plenty of research has shown the benefits of lavender and other herbal scents as far as helping reduce agitation in Alzheimer’s patients. The Sootheze plush animals are filled with a blend of nine herbs including lavender, rose hips, and cinnamon. Their “stuffing” consists primarily of all-natural flaxseed.

“Scruffy” Image Courtesy of Sootheze

Sootheze pals are available in a variety of animals including cats, dogs, bears, and bunnies. The company also offers a “collar” style that can be draped around the neck and shoulders. Adding to their versatility, the plush pets can be cooled in the freezer or heated in the microwave if desired. What a cozy addition to a cold winter day or night.

I realize some challenge this idea, supporting the notion that dolls and stuffed animals are demeaning to adults. However, I truly believe it depends on the individual and how far along they are in the disease. This goes hand in hand with the concept of joining our loved ones in their world when they can no longer make it back to ours. We have to stop and think, does the idea of a stuffed animal feel demeaning to our loved one, or are we just uncomfortable with it?

In terms of benefits, there are many others:

  • Providing a distraction or tool for redirection
  • Giving busy hands something soft to “pet”
  • Providing something to love, nurture, and take care of
  • Triggering happy memories of a beloved pet from long ago
  • Providing a focal point for interactions with caregivers and loved ones
  • Bringing an overall comfort and feeling of safety and wellbeing

Stock Image: Morguefile

For the last couple of weeks, one of the dear ladies I visit in memory care has told me she’s very afraid – a common occurrence in Alzheimer’s patients. I sit and hold her hand, which seems to help, but we know we can’t always be there.

This coming week, I’ll be taking the sweet Vanilla Bear I received from the nice folks at Sootheze, to his new home in the unit. My hope is that he will bring smiles, joy, and a sense of security to my friends when they’re sad, lonely, or just need a hug.

Visit the Sootheze website to learn more or shop for a Sootheze pal for your loved one.